Shloka 101

Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi

Devanagari script

यस्तु गर्भगृहं भक्त्या सकृदालिप्य सर्वतः चन्दनाद्यैः सकर्पूरैर् गन्धद्रव्यैः समन्ततः

Transliteration

yastu garbhagṛhaṃ bhaktyā sakṛdālipya sarvataḥ candanādyaiḥ sakarpūrair gandhadravyaiḥ samantataḥ

Translation

ഭക്തിയോടെ ആരെങ്കിലും ഗർഭഗൃഹത്തെ ഒരിക്കൽപോലും ചുറ്റുമെല്ലാം ചന്ദനം മുതലായ സുഗന്ധദ്രവ്യങ്ങൾ, കർപ്പൂരം സഹിതം, നന്നായി ലേപിച്ചാൽ—അവൻ പതി ശിവനു പ്രീതികരമായ ശുദ്ധ ഉപചാരം അർപ്പിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• yas tu: whoever

• garbhagṛham: the sanctum/inner shrine (of the Liṅga-temple)

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• sakṛt: once (even a single time)

• ālipya: having smeared/anointed

• sarvataḥ: on all sides/entirely

• candana-ādyaiḥ: with sandalwood and similar (fragrances)

• sa-karpūraiḥ: together with camphor

• gandha-dravyaiḥ: with scented substances/materials

• samantataḥ: all around, completely

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi and its fruits to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It elevates gandha-lepana (scented anointing) of the garbhagriha as a potent act of bhakti, showing that even a single, sincere offering made to the Liṅga’s sacred space is spiritually efficacious.

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

Śiva is approached here as Pati—the supreme Lord who accepts pure upacāras offered with devotion; the act implies that the devotee (paśu) refines sensory fragrance into worship, loosening pāsas (bondages) through right orientation of mind.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A temple-based puja practice: anointing/smearing the sanctum with sandal, camphor, and other fragrances—an external upacāra that supports internal purification and steadiness aligned with Pāśupata-oriented devotion.