Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 85
प्रणवविभागः—वेदस्वरूपत्वं लिङ्गे च प्रतिष्ठा
The Division of Oṃ, Its Vedic Forms, and Its Placement in the Liṅga
ऋषयश्च नरा नागा नार्यश्चापि विधानतः । लिंगप्रतिष्ठा कुर्वंति लिंगे तं पूजयंति च
ṛṣayaśca narā nāgā nāryaścāpi vidhānataḥ | liṃgapratiṣṭhā kurvaṃti liṃge taṃ pūjayaṃti ca
ऋषी, मनुष्य, नाग आणि स्त्रिया देखील विधिनुसार शिवलिंगाची प्रतिष्ठा करतात आणि त्या लिंगातच भगवान शिवाची पूजा करतात.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana teaching on liṅga worship to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: General liṅga-pratiṣṭhā teaching: diverse beings (ṛṣis, humans, nāgas, women) participate in establishing and worshiping the liṅga, reflecting the Purāṇic democratization of access to Śiva through liṅga-sevā.
Significance: Affirms that liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and liṅga-pūjā are universally efficacious across varṇa/species/social categories when done vidhānataḥ; the merit is framed as Śiva’s anugraha mediated through the installed liṅga.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It affirms that devotion to Pati (Śiva) through the consecrated liṅga is universally accessible; when worship is done “vidhānataḥ” (as enjoined), the liṅga becomes a sacred support for focused bhakti and grace-bestowing communion with Śiva.
The verse explicitly states that devotees worship “Him in the liṅga,” indicating Saguna-upāsanā: the formless Supreme is approached through the sanctified symbol (liṅga) as a ritually established presence suitable for pūjā.
It points to liṅga-pratiṣṭhā followed by regular liṅga-pūjā according to prescribed rules—typically including mantra-japa (often the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), offerings, and disciplined observance of purity and devotion.