Shloka 25

लिङ्गार्चनपूर्वकं स्नानाचमनविधिः

Snana–Achamana as Preparation for Linga-Archana

Devanagari script

एवं हि चाभिषिच्याथ स्वमूर्ध्नि पयसा द्विजाः ध्यायेच्च त्र्यम्बकं देवं हृदि पञ्चास्यम् ईश्वरम्

Transliteration

evaṃ hi cābhiṣicyātha svamūrdhni payasā dvijāḥ dhyāyecca tryambakaṃ devaṃ hṛdi pañcāsyam īśvaram

Translation

Assim, após realizar a ablução, ó dvijas (os duas-vezes-nascidos), deveis também aspergir leite sobre a vossa própria cabeça; então, meditando no coração, contemplai o Deus Tryambaka de três olhos—Īśvara, o Senhor de cinco faces.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It links external Linga-abhisheka with internal purification—sprinkling milk on one’s head and then doing heart-centered dhyāna—showing that true worship unites ritual and inner realization of Pati (Shiva).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is presented as Tryambaka (three-eyed, transcendent knower of the three times) and Pañcāsya/pañcavaktra Īśvara (the five-faced Lord), indicating the all-pervading sovereign Pati who is to be realized inwardly in the heart beyond pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A combined practice: abhiṣeka using milk (a śuddhi and bhakti act) followed by dhyāna in the heart on the five-faced, three-eyed Shiva—an inner Pāśupata-oriented contemplation supporting liberation of the paśu (soul).