Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

सर्वमासेषु कमलं हैममेकं विधीयते अलाभे राजतं वापि केवलं कमलं तु वा

Transliteration

sarvamāseṣu kamalaṃ haimamekaṃ vidhīyate alābhe rājataṃ vāpi kevalaṃ kamalaṃ tu vā

Translation

सब महीनों में एक स्वर्ण-कमल अर्पित करना विहित है। यदि वह न मिले तो रजत (चाँदी) का (कमल) भी; अथवा केवल कमल पुष्प ही अर्पित करे।

Word by Word

• सर्वमासेषु: in all months

• कमलम्: lotus

• हैमम्: made of gold

• एकम्: one

• विधीयते: is prescribed/ordained

• अलाभे: when there is non-availability

• राजतम्: made of silver

• वा अपि: or even

• केवलम्: merely/only

• कमलम् तु वा: or just a lotus.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It establishes the principle of ritual substitution (pratinidhi) in Linga-pūjā: when ideal offerings like a golden lotus are unavailable, one may offer silver or even a simple lotus, preserving devotion and correctness of worship.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva as Pati is not constrained by material luxury; the verse implies that the Lord accepts offerings according to availability and sincere intent, guiding the pashu (soul) toward purity and loosening pāśa (bondage) through disciplined worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights pūjā-vidhi centered on upacāra offerings—specifically the padma (lotus) as an auspicious item—along with the Shaiva rule that acceptable substitutes may be used without breaking the discipline of worship.