Shloka 8

देवदारुवनौकसां प्रति ब्रह्मोपदेशः—लिङ्गलक्षण-प्रतिष्ठा-विधिः, शिवमायारूपदर्शनं, स्तुतिः

Devanagari script

चतुरस्रं बहिश्चान्तर् अष्टास्रं पिण्डिकाश्रये वृत्तं सुदर्शनं योग्यम् एवं लिङ्गं प्रपूजयेत्

Transliteration

caturasraṃ bahiścāntar aṣṭāsraṃ piṇḍikāśraye vṛttaṃ sudarśanaṃ yogyam evaṃ liṅgaṃ prapūjayet

Translation

Que o Liṅga seja venerado nesta forma adequada: externamente, de quatro lados; internamente, de oito ângulos; bem sustentado sobre a piṇḍikā (base); e que seja circular, de visão auspiciosa e apto ao rito—assim se deve realizar devidamente o culto ao Liṅga.

Word by Word

• चतुरस्रम्: four-sided (square)

• बहिः: outwardly

• च: and

• अन्तर्: inwardly/within

• अष्टास्रम्: eight-angled (octagonal)

• पिण्डिकाश्रये: resting on/anchored in the piṇḍikā (base/yoni-pīṭha)

• वृत्तम्: circular/round

• सुदर्शनम्: beautiful to behold, auspicious in appearance

• योग्यम्: fit, proper, ritually suitable

• एवम्: thus/in this manner

• लिङ्गम्: the Śiva-liṅga

• प्रपूजयेत्: one should worship with full reverence (perform proper pūjā).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-linga worship procedure to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It gives a concise iconographic standard for a ritually valid Śiva-liṅga—its outer and inner geometry and stable base—so that pūjā is performed on a form deemed “yogya” (fit) for invoking Pati (Śiva) and granting auspicious results.

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

By emphasizing the Liṅga as “sudarśana” and “yogya,” the verse points to Śiva-tattva as formless yet approachable through a sanctified symbol—Pati made accessible to the paśu (bound soul) through a proper support for devotion and inner contemplation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights liṅga-pratiṣṭhā/arcana principles—choosing or fashioning a properly proportioned liṅga for pūjā—supporting Pāśupata-oriented practice where external worship steadies the mind for inward yoga and release from pāśa (bondage).