Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 5
शिवदीक्षाविधानेन लिंगपूजां समादिशत् । तेषामनुग्रहपरो मुनिः प्रमतवत्सलः । तीर्थादप्यधिकं स्थाने सतां साधुसमागमः
śivadīkṣāvidhānena liṃgapūjāṃ samādiśat | teṣāmanugrahaparo muniḥ pramatavatsalaḥ | tīrthādapyadhikaṃ sthāne satāṃ sādhusamāgamaḥ
शिव-दीक्षा की विधि से उसने उन्हें लिङ्ग-पूजा का उपदेश दिया। अनुग्रह में तत्पर, प्रमथ-भक्तों पर वात्सल्य रखने वाले मुनि ने कहा—“किसी भी स्थान में सत्पुरुषों का साधु-संग तीर्थ से भी बढ़कर है।”
Narrator (contextual; reporting Lomaśa’s instruction)
Tirtha: Sat-saṅga (Sādhu-goṣṭhī) as ‘living tīrtha’
Type: kshetra
Scene: Lomaśa instructs the newly accepted disciples in Śiva-dīkṣā and liṅga worship: a simple liṅga shrine, offerings (bilva leaves, water pot), the guru teaching mudrā/mantra; the disciples listen in devotion.
FAQs
The highest sanctity is not only in geography but in holy company; sadhu-saṅga can surpass even pilgrimage merit.
Rather than naming a single tīrtha, the verse elevates sat-saṅga itself as a superior ‘living tīrtha’ in any location.
Śiva-dīkṣā according to proper vidhi and the prescribed worship (pūjā) of the Śiva-liṅga.