Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

सितैः सहस्रकमलै रक्तैर्नीलोत्पलैरपि श्वेतार्ककर्णिकारैश् च करवीरैर्बकैरपि

Transliteration

sitaiḥ sahasrakamalai raktairnīlotpalairapi śvetārkakarṇikāraiś ca karavīrairbakairapi

Translation

白き千弁の蓮華、赤き花々、また青き睡蓮（ニーロートパラ）をもって。さらに白きアルカの花、カルニカーラの花、そしてカラヴィーラとバカの花をもって—これらにより信者はシヴァ・リンガを荘厳し供養せよ。堅固なバクティによる供物は、パーシャ（束縛）よりパシュ（被縛の魂）を清め、心をパティたるマハーデーヴァへと向ける。

Word by Word

• सितैः: with white (flowers)

• सहस्रकमलैः: with thousand(-petalled) lotuses

• रक्तैः: with red (flowers)

• नीलोत्पलैः: with blue lotuses/water-lilies

• अपि: also

• श्वेतार्ककर्णिकारैः: with white arka and karṇikāra flowers

• च: and

• करवीरैः: with karavīra (oleander) flowers

• बकैः: with baka (crane-/jasmine-like) flowers

• अपि: also

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 specifies sacred flowers suitable for adorning and offering to the Śiva-liṅga, emphasizing that correct, devoted offerings are a key limb of liṅga-pūjā and support inner purification.

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

By presenting the liṅga as the direct focus of offering, it implies Śiva as Pati—the transcendent Lord who receives devotion and grants the paśu release from pāśa through grace awakened by sincere worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritualistically, it highlights puṣpa-upacāra (flower offering) in liṅga-pūjā; yogically, it supports ekāgratā (one-pointedness) that aligns the devotee toward Pashupata discipline through devotional concentration.