Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
अत एव जगत्यस्मिन्काष्ठपाषाणमृत्स्वपि । शिवावेशवशादेव शिवत्वमुपचर्यते
ata eva jagatyasminkāṣṭhapāṣāṇamṛtsvapi | śivāveśavaśādeva śivatvamupacaryate
Oleh itu, di dunia ini, bahkan pada kayu, batu dan tanah liat pun, “kesivaan” (Shivatva) disandarkan—semata-mata kerana kehadiran Śiva yang meresap dan mengatasi segalanya.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: The verse supports the general Śaiva rationale for liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and arcā: Śiva’s āveśa/adhyāsa makes ‘Śivatva’ conventionally applicable even to wood/stone/clay forms used as liṅga or mūrti.
Significance: Affirms that worship of liṅga/arcā is not ‘mere materialism’ but participation in Śiva’s indwelling presence, yielding steadiness of devotion and eligibility for grace.
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that sacredness is not limited to a material substance; when Śiva’s presence (āveśa) is invoked and established, even ordinary matter becomes fit to be revered as Śiva—supporting disciplined devotion and the grace-bestowing immanence of Pati.
It justifies Saguna worship: the Linga (often stone or clay) is honored as Śiva not because the material is divine by itself, but because Śiva’s power is ritually invoked and abides there, making the form a valid focus for bhakti, mantra, and pūjā.
Consecration and invocation: install or worship a Śiva-liṅga (stone or clay) with pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offer bhasma and water, and meditate on Śiva’s indwelling presence rather than mere external form.