Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48
लिङ्ग-बेर-प्रतिष्ठाविधिः / The Procedure for Installing the Liṅga and the Bera
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अशक्तश्चेत्प्रतिष्ठाप्य लिंगं बेरमथापि वा । शक्तेरनुगुणं पश्चात्प्रकुर्वीत शिवालयम्
aśaktaścetpratiṣṭhāpya liṃgaṃ beramathāpi vā | śakteranuguṇaṃ paścātprakurvīta śivālayam
Jika seseorang belum mampu membina kuil terlebih dahulu, hendaklah dia mula-mula menegakkan Liṅga—atau juga arca (bera). Sesudah itu, menurut kemampuan dirinya, hendaklah dia membangunkan tempat suci bagi Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Legitimizes ‘first worship, then build’—ensuring access to Śiva’s grace even for those lacking resources; emphasizes bhakti and right procedure over wealth.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that sincere devotion is primary: even without resources for a full temple, establishing the Liṅga (or an image) enables worship of Pati (Śiva), and later one may expand the outer form of devotion according to one’s means.
The verse legitimizes both Liṅga and mūrti worship as valid supports for approaching Śiva. In Shaiva Siddhanta, the transcendent Lord is accessed through gracious, worshipable forms—Liṅga and icon—suited to the devotee’s condition.
It implies beginning with regular Liṅga/mūrti pūjā (daily offerings, mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and then, as capacity grows, establishing a dedicated Śivālaya (shrine/temple) to formalize and deepen communal worship.