Shloka 4
पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
अन्नादिभोज्यं वस्त्रादिसर्वमुत्पद्यते यतः । ततो मृदादिप्रतिमापूजाभीष्टप्रदा भुवि
annādibhojyaṃ vastrādisarvamutpadyate yataḥ | tato mṛdādipratimāpūjābhīṣṭapradā bhuvi
അന്നാദി ഭോജ്യവും വസ്ത്രാദി എല്ലാം അതിൽ നിന്നാണ് ഉദ്ഭവിക്കുന്നത്; അതുകൊണ്ട് ഭൂമിയിൽ മണ്ണ് മുതലായവകൊണ്ട് നിർമ്മിച്ച പ്രതിമയുടെ പൂജ ഇഷ്ടഫലം നൽകുന്നു।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The verse grounds ritual efficacy in the metaphysics of ‘earth’ (mṛd) as the generative basis for food, clothing, and material supports; this resonates with Kāśī’s Annapūrṇā-Visveśvara axis where sustenance and liberation are paired—Annapūrṇā nourishes, Viśveśvara grants ultimate refuge.
Significance: Affirms that simple, accessible materials (clay) can mediate Śiva’s grace; encourages inclusive devotion where even minimal resources become spiritually potent.
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It affirms that since worldly supports like food and clothing arise from material nature, using material forms (like clay images) in worship is valid and can grant spiritual and worldly aims when offered with devotion to Shiva.
It supports Saguna worship: Shiva may be approached through consecrated forms—linga or pratimā—so the devotee’s mind gains steadiness and devotion, ultimately leading toward realization beyond form.
Perform Shiva-puja using a clay (mṛt) image or linga with offerings (naivedya, flowers, water), while mentally anchoring devotion through mantra-japa such as the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”