Shloka 176

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

चतुर्द्रोणैर् महादेवम् अष्टद्रोणैरथापि वा दशद्रोणैस् तु नैवेद्यम् अष्टद्रोणैरथापि वा

Transliteration

caturdroṇair mahādevam aṣṭadroṇairathāpi vā daśadroṇais tu naivedyam aṣṭadroṇairathāpi vā

Translation

നാല് ദ്രോണം ദ്രവ്യങ്ങളാൽ മഹാദേവനെ പൂജിക്കണം—അല്ലെങ്കിൽ എട്ട് ദ്രോണം കൊണ്ടും. നൈവേദ്യത്തിന് പത്ത് ദ്രോണം വിധിയാകുന്നു—അല്ലെങ്കിൽ എട്ട് ദ്രോണം കൊണ്ടും.

Word by Word

• चतुर्द्रोणैः: with four droṇas (measures)

• महादेवम्: Mahādeva (Lord Śiva)

• अष्टद्रोणैः: with eight droṇas

• अथापि: or even

• वा: or

• दशद्रोणैः: with ten droṇas

• तु: indeed/for

• नैवेद्यम्: food offering (naivedya)

• अष्टद्रोणैः: with eight droṇas

• अथापि: or even

• वा: or

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi as taught in the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahadeva

FAQs

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

It standardizes the measurable proportions of offerings (droṇa-based quantities), showing that Linga-puja values disciplined, rule-based devotion where the offering is made as an act of surrender to Pati (Śiva).

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

By treating Mahādeva as the rightful receiver of carefully prescribed offerings, the verse affirms Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord to whom ritual action is oriented, transforming karma into worship when performed with niyama (sacred rule).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights puja-vidhi—especially naivedya—where precise measures train the devotee’s discipline; in Shaiva terms, such regulated worship supports purification of the pashu (soul) from pasha (bondage) through devoted action.