पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
अन्यतो भाव्यतेऽवश्यं मायया जन्म कथ्यते । जीर्यते जन्मकालाद्यत्तस्माज्जीव इति स्मृतः
anyato bhāvyate'vaśyaṃ māyayā janma kathyate | jīryate janmakālādyattasmājjīva iti smṛtaḥ
それが必ず「他なるもの」(シヴァとは別)として思念されるがゆえに、その有身の状態はマーヤーによって生ずると言われる。さらに、生まれた瞬間から衰滅へ向かうゆえに、これをジーヴァ—生に縛られた個我—と記憶するのである。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Shiva Purana teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
It defines the jīva as the soul that, under Māyā, takes itself to be separate from Śiva and thus enters birth and decay. The teaching points toward liberation by removing this ‘otherness’ through Śiva-knowledge and devotion.
Linga-worship centers the mind on Śiva as the one Reality beyond Māyā. By steady devotion to Saguna Śiva (with form) through the Linga, the jīva’s separative notion is purified, preparing it for realization of Śiva’s supreme nature.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with contemplation that the ‘I’ is not separate from Śiva, supported by Śaiva disciplines like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and detachment.