Shloka 2

Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi

Devanagari script

मृदादिरत्नपर्यन्तैर् द्रव्यैः कृत्वा शिवालयम् यत्फलं लभते मर्त्यस् तत्फलं वक्तुमर्हसि

Transliteration

mṛdādiratnaparyantair dravyaiḥ kṛtvā śivālayam yatphalaṃ labhate martyas tatphalaṃ vaktumarhasi

Translation

土のような素朴な材から貴き宝玉に至るまでの資材を用い、凡夫が主シヴァのために寺院を建立するなら、その者が得る功徳の果（パラ phala）を、どうか説き明かしてください。

Word by Word

• mṛdā-ādi: beginning with clay

• ratna-paryanta: extending up to gems

• dravyaiḥ: with materials/substances

• kṛtvā: having made/built

• śiva-ālayam: Śiva’s abode, a temple of Śiva

• yat-phalam: whatever fruit/merit

• labhate: obtains

• martyas: a mortal (bound soul, paśu)

• tat-phalam: that fruit/merit

• vaktum: to speak, to explain

• arhasi: you are worthy/please do (it is proper for you)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (outer narration), presenting a question from the sages to be answered within the discourse on Shiva-puja and temple-construction merit

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames temple-construction (śivālaya-nirmāṇa) as a powerful form of Linga-centered devotion, asking for the specific phala gained by establishing Śiva’s sacred abode for worship.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the supreme Lord whose presence can be invoked and stabilized through a consecrated abode; serving that abode becomes a means for the paśu (mortal soul) to move toward grace and purification.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights śiva-sevā through temple building and support of public worship—an outer discipline that complements Pāśupata-oriented purification by loosening pāśa (bondage) via devotion, merit, and consecrated action.