Shloka 26

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

शैलजं रत्नजं वापि धातुजं वापि दारुजम् मृन्मयं क्षणिकं त्यक्त्वा स्थापयेत्सकलं वपुः

Transliteration

śailajaṃ ratnajaṃ vāpi dhātujaṃ vāpi dārujam mṛnmayaṃ kṣaṇikaṃ tyaktvā sthāpayetsakalaṃ vapuḥ

Translation

കല്ല്, രത്നം, ലോഹം അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മരം എന്നിവയിൽ നിന്നുണ്ടാക്കിയ (ലിംഗം) ആയാലും—നശ്വരമായ മണ്ണിന്റെ ക്ഷണിക ലിംഗം ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച്, ആരാധനയ്ക്കായി ഭഗവാന്റെ ‘സകല-വപു’ അഥവാ സാകാര സമ്പൂർണ്ണ രൂപം സ്ഥാപിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• शैलजम्: made of stone

• रत्नजम्: made of gems

• वा अपि: or else/also

• धातुजम्: made of metal/mineral

• वा अपि: or else/also

• दारुजम्: made of wood

• मृन्मयम्: made of clay/earth

• क्षणिकम्: short-lived/perishable

• त्यक्त्वा: having abandoned

• स्थापयेत्: one should स्थापित/establish

• सकलम्: complete/with parts (manifest)

• वपुः: form/body

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s Linga-sthapana injunctions within the Purva-Bhaga discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prioritizes durable materials (stone, gem, metal, wood) for Linga-sthapana and discourages a perishable clay Linga for long-term, established worship.

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

By mentioning “sakala-vapuḥ,” it points to Shiva as Pati who can be approached in a manifest, worship-supporting form, while still implying the deeper distinction of manifest (sakala) and transcendent (niṣkala) aspects.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights Linga-sthapana (ritual installation) as the stable basis for daily puja—supporting disciplined practice that steadies the pashu (soul) toward Pati through regular observance.