Shloka 26

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

शैलजं रत्नजं वापि धातुजं वापि दारुजम् मृन्मयं क्षणिकं त्यक्त्वा स्थापयेत्सकलं वपुः

Transliteration

śailajaṃ ratnajaṃ vāpi dhātujaṃ vāpi dārujam mṛnmayaṃ kṣaṇikaṃ tyaktvā sthāpayetsakalaṃ vapuḥ

Translation

Quer o Liṅga seja feito de pedra, gemas, metal ou madeira, deve-se abandonar o Liṅga de barro, perecível, e estabelecer para a adoração a forma plenamente corporificada (sakala-vapuḥ) do Senhor.

Word by Word

• शैलजम्: made of stone

• रत्नजम्: made of gems

• वा अपि: or else/also

• धातुजम्: made of metal/mineral

• वा अपि: or else/also

• दारुजम्: made of wood

• मृन्मयम्: made of clay/earth

• क्षणिकम्: short-lived/perishable

• त्यक्त्वा: having abandoned

• स्थापयेत्: one should स्थापित/establish

• सकलम्: complete/with parts (manifest)

• वपुः: form/body

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s Linga-sthapana injunctions within the Purva-Bhaga discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prioritizes durable materials (stone, gem, metal, wood) for Linga-sthapana and discourages a perishable clay Linga for long-term, established worship.

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

By mentioning “sakala-vapuḥ,” it points to Shiva as Pati who can be approached in a manifest, worship-supporting form, while still implying the deeper distinction of manifest (sakala) and transcendent (niṣkala) aspects.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights Linga-sthapana (ritual installation) as the stable basis for daily puja—supporting disciplined practice that steadies the pashu (soul) toward Pati through regular observance.