Shloka 48
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
प्रसन्नां गिरिजां कृत्वा वृषभध्वजमेव च । पूर्वोक्तं च विधिं कृत्वा स्थापितं लिंगमुत्तमम्
prasannāṃ girijāṃ kṛtvā vṛṣabhadhvajameva ca | pūrvoktaṃ ca vidhiṃ kṛtvā sthāpitaṃ liṃgamuttamam
Setelah menyenangkan Girijā (Pārvatī) dan juga Vṛṣabhadhvaja (Śiva, yang panjinya bergambar lembu), serta melaksanakan tata cara yang telah disebutkan sebelumnya, beliau menegakkan Liṅga yang unggul lagi amat suci.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Culmination: after pleasing Girijā and Vṛṣabhadhvaja, and performing the prescribed vidhi, the ‘uttama liṅga’ is established—typical of a consecration moment that founds ongoing worship and stability (sthiti) for the world/community.
Significance: Liṅga-sthāpana (pratiṣṭhā) is portrayed as a world-stabilizing act; merit accrues through correct vidhi and honoring both Śiva and Devī.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s grace is approached through reverent devotion and correct sacred procedure: when Pārvatī and Śiva are pleased, the act of establishing the Liṅga becomes a powerful, auspicious gateway to Śiva’s presence and blessing.
The verse explicitly centers on Liṅga-sthāpana (installation), affirming Saguna worship: the Liṅga is treated as a sanctified seat of Śiva where devotion, ritual order (vidhi), and divine consent culminate in effective worship.
It implies following the “previously stated” worship-vidhi—purification, mantra-japa (notably Panchākṣarī: Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and formal installation—performed with bhakti to please Śiva and Pārvatī before commencing regular Liṅga-pūjā.