Shloka 27

Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga-māhātmya

The Excellence of the Earthen Śiva Liṅga

Devanagari script

यथाकथंचिद्विधिना रम्यं लिंगं प्रकारयेत् । पंचसूत्रविधानां च पार्थिवेन विचारयेत्

Transliteration

yathākathaṃcidvidhinā ramyaṃ liṃgaṃ prakārayet | paṃcasūtravidhānāṃ ca pārthivena vicārayet

Translation

ଯେପରି ସମ୍ଭବ, ବିଧିଅନୁସାରେ ସୁନ୍ଦର ଲିଙ୍ଗ ତିଆରି କରିବା ଉଚିତ; ଏବଂ ପାର୍ଥିବ ଲିଙ୍ଗ ସହ ପଞ୍ଚସୂତ୍ର-ବିଧାନକୁ ସମ୍ୟକ୍ ଭାବେ ବିଚାର କରି ପାଳନ କରିବା ଉଚିତ।

Word by Word

• यथा: in whatever way
• यथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/रीति-अर्थे (in whatever manner)

• कथम्: somehow
• कथम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्न/अनिर्दिष्ट-प्रकार-अव्यय (how)

• चित्: some/any
• चित्: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: चित् (अव्यय)
• Form: अनिश्चितार्थक-निपात/indefinite particle (some/any)

• विधिना: by a method/according to rule
• विधिना: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन

• रम्यम्: beautiful
• रम्यम्: कर्म (Object qualifier/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• लिङ्गम्: liṅga
• लिङ्गम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन

• प्रकारयेत्: should make/construct
• प्रकारयेत्: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative sense possible in usage (to make/construct)

• पञ्चसूत्रविधानाम्: of the fivefold prescriptions
• पञ्चसूत्रविधानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च-सूत्र-विधान (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive, 6th), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (पञ्चानां सूत्राणां विधानानि = the prescriptions of five rules/threads)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय/conjunction

• पार्थिवेन: with earth/earthen (material)
• पार्थिवेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगे, तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन; here: ‘with/using earth’ (pārthiva = earthen material)

• विचारयेत्: should consider/examine
• विचारयेत्: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva-worship procedures to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that sincere devotion expressed through correctly guided practice is accepted—one may worship Śiva by making a simple earth Liṅga, provided the worship follows dharmic order and mindful observance of the prescribed principles.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The Liṅga is Saguna worship that stabilizes the mind and channels devotion toward Pati (Śiva). By forming and honoring the Liṅga with rule-based reverence, the devotee approaches Śiva’s grace while gradually maturing toward deeper realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to Pārthiva-liṅga worship (making a clay/earth Liṅga) and performing the fivefold prescribed observances (‘pañca-sūtra’) with reflection—typically supported by mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined pūjā conduct.