Shloka 17

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

श्रीप्रदं रत्नजं लिङ्गं शैलजं सर्वसिद्धिदम् धातुजं धनदं साक्षाद् दारुजं भोगसिद्धिदम्

Transliteration

śrīpradaṃ ratnajaṃ liṅgaṃ śailajaṃ sarvasiddhidam dhātujaṃ dhanadaṃ sākṣād dārujaṃ bhogasiddhidam

Translation

രത്നനിർമ്മിത ലിംഗം ശ്രീ—മംഗളസമൃദ്ധി നൽകുന്നു. ശൈലജ ലിംഗം സർവ്വസിദ്ധി നൽകുന്നു. ധാതുജ ലിംഗം പ്രത്യക്ഷ ധനം നൽകുന്നു; ദാരുജ ലിംഗം ഭോഗസിദ്ധി വരുത്തുന്നു.

Word by Word

• śrī-pradam: bestowing śrī (auspicious prosperity)

• ratna-jam: made of jewels/gemstones

• liṅgam: the Liṅga (iconic mark of Pati, Śiva)

• śaila-jam: made of stone (from a mountain)

• sarva-siddhi-dam: granting all siddhis (accomplishments)

• dhātu-jam: made of metal/mineral

• dhana-dam: bestowing wealth

• sākṣāt: directly/manifestly

• dāru-jam: made of wood

• bhoga-siddhi-dam: granting success in bhoga (enjoyments) and their attainment

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching on Linga-installation and its fruits)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It classifies Liṅgas by material (jewel, stone, metal, wood) and states the specific fruits (śrī, siddhi, wealth, bhoga) that arise from worship and installation, guiding dravya-choice in Śiva-pūjā.

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

Śiva as Pati is one, but out of grace he becomes accessible through the Liṅga; the differing “fruits” indicate the devotee’s intention and karma, while the Lord remains the giver of siddhi and prosperity through a single tattva expressed in many supports.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and daily Liṅga-pūjā with an appropriate material support; in a Pāśupata frame, such pūjā disciplines the pashu (soul) and gradually loosens pāśa (bondage), even when one begins with aims like wealth or bhoga.