Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
अद्यप्रभृति तन्मन्त्रं हित्वा भक्त्या शिवं भज । पार्थिवेन विधानेन ध्यानेनैव शिवस्य च
adyaprabhṛti tanmantraṃ hitvā bhaktyā śivaṃ bhaja | pārthivena vidhānena dhyānenaiva śivasya ca
ഇന്നുമുതൽ ആ (മറ്റൊരു) മന്ത്രം ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് ഭക്തിയോടെ ശിവനെ ഭജിക്ക; പാർഥിവ ലിംഗവിധിപ്രകാരം പൂജ ചെയ്തു, ശിവനെയേ ധ്യാനിക്ക.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Sthala Purana: The instruction centers on the portable/constructed Pārthiva-liṅga (earthen liṅga) worship rather than a fixed jyotirliṅga shrine.
Significance: Teaches an accessible sādhana: clay-liṅga worship plus dhyāna, emphasizing that grace is available without dependence on distant pilgrimage.
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
It teaches single-pointed (ananya) devotion to Śiva: set aside inferior or distracting mantra-practices and unite bhakti with right worship and inner contemplation, aligning the soul (paśu) toward Pati (Śiva).
It specifically recommends Pārthiva-liṅga worship—an accessible Saguna form—while also insisting on dhyāna, showing that external liṅga-pūjā and inner realization are complementary in Śaiva practice.
Perform the prescribed Pārthiva (clay) liṅga rite with devotion, and practice Śiva-dhyāna—steady contemplation on Śiva’s form, qualities, and presence—treating meditation as an essential companion to ritual.