Shloka 5

Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna

Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship

Devanagari script

संख्या पार्थिवलिंगानां यथाकामं निगद्यते । संख्या सद्यो मुनिश्रेष्ठ निश्चयेन फलप्रदा

Transliteration

saṃkhyā pārthivaliṃgānāṃ yathākāmaṃ nigadyate | saṃkhyā sadyo muniśreṣṭha niścayena phalapradā

Translation

土製（pārthiva）のリンガを作り礼拝すべき数は、力と願いに応じて定められる。だが、賢者の中の最勝よ、その数を数え、意図した数を成就させること自体が、必ずや直ちに果報をもたらす。

Word by Word

• संख्या: number; count
• संख्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; feminine nominative singular

• पार्थिव-लिङ्गानाम्: of earthen liṅgas
• पार्थिव-लिङ्गानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव-लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष (पार्थिवं लिङ्गम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; neuter genitive plural

• यथा-कामम्: according to desire
• यथा-कामम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (adverbial), 'as desired'

• निगद्यते: is stated; is prescribed
• निगद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+गद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; present passive/ātmanepada 3rd sg: 'is stated'

• संख्या: the number
• संख्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; feminine nominative singular

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Kala (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (temporal adverb)

• मुनि-श्रेष्ठ: O best of sages
• मुनि-श्रेष्ठ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि-श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: कर्मधारय (श्रेष्ठः मुनिः); पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8), एकवचन; masculine vocative singular

• निश्चयेन: certainly; with certainty
• निश्चयेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; masculine instrumental singular

• फल-प्रदा: fruit-giving; bestowing results
• फल-प्रदा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फल-प्रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (फलम् प्रददाति इति); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; feminine nominative singular (agreeing with संख्या)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that devotion expressed through a disciplined vow—setting a number of Pārthiva Liṅgas and completing it—becomes spiritually potent and quickly fruit-bearing, because steadfast intention (niścaya) and worshipful action align the soul (paśu) toward Śiva (Pati).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The Pārthiva Liṅga is a tangible, saguna support for worship: by forming and honoring the Liṅga repeatedly, the devotee trains attention, humility, and surrender, using form to approach the formless Śiva who is ultimately beyond all measures.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Undertake Pārthiva Liṅga pūjā with a chosen count suited to your capacity, complete the intended number with concentration, and pair the worship with mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to stabilize resolve and devotion.