Shloka 34
Liṅga-pratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ — Installation Standards and Auspicious Parameters for Liṅga Worship
अंगुष्ठादावपि तथा पूजामिच्छंति केचन । लिंगकर्मणि सर्वत्र निषेधोस्ति न कर्हिचित्
aṃguṣṭhādāvapi tathā pūjāmicchaṃti kecana | liṃgakarmaṇi sarvatra niṣedhosti na karhicit
ある帰依者たちは、親指および他の指から始めて（定められた作法に従い）礼拝を行いたいとさえ願う。シヴァ・リンガ（Śiva-liṅga）に関わる一切の行為には、いかなる時にも禁制はなく、その礼拝は常に許される。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the teachings of the Śiva Purāṇa to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific (sthala) passage; it lays down a general rule of adhikāra: liṅga-sevā is not barred by time, place, or minor procedural variation, emphasizing Śiva’s accessibility through the liṅga.
Significance: Affirms that liṅga-worship is universally permissible; encourages constant devotion and removes anxiety about prohibitions (niṣedha), thereby supporting steady sādhana.
FAQs
It emphasizes Śiva’s grace and accessibility: Liṅga-worship is not restricted by rigid prohibitions, so sincere devotion can be expressed through simple, permissible methods that purify the soul (paśu) and turn it toward Pati (Śiva).
The verse affirms that worship of the Śiva-liṅga (a Saguna focus for devotion) can be performed in many valid ways; the essential element is reverence and right intention, not excessive ritual anxiety.
It supports simple Liṅga-pūjā done with the hands (even beginning with thumb/fingers as per one’s tradition), accompanied by bhakti and, where applicable, japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”