Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 85
प्रणवविभागः—वेदस्वरूपत्वं लिङ्गे च प्रतिष्ठा
The Division of Oṃ, Its Vedic Forms, and Its Placement in the Liṅga
ऋषयश्च नरा नागा नार्यश्चापि विधानतः । लिंगप्रतिष्ठा कुर्वंति लिंगे तं पूजयंति च
ṛṣayaśca narā nāgā nāryaścāpi vidhānataḥ | liṃgapratiṣṭhā kurvaṃti liṃge taṃ pūjayaṃti ca
Os ṛṣis, os homens, os Nāgas e também as mulheres, conforme os ritos prescritos, estabelecem (pratiṣṭhā) o Śiva-liṅga e nele mesmo adoram o Senhor Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana teaching on liṅga worship to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: General liṅga-pratiṣṭhā teaching: diverse beings (ṛṣis, humans, nāgas, women) participate in establishing and worshiping the liṅga, reflecting the Purāṇic democratization of access to Śiva through liṅga-sevā.
Significance: Affirms that liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and liṅga-pūjā are universally efficacious across varṇa/species/social categories when done vidhānataḥ; the merit is framed as Śiva’s anugraha mediated through the installed liṅga.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It affirms that devotion to Pati (Śiva) through the consecrated liṅga is universally accessible; when worship is done “vidhānataḥ” (as enjoined), the liṅga becomes a sacred support for focused bhakti and grace-bestowing communion with Śiva.
The verse explicitly states that devotees worship “Him in the liṅga,” indicating Saguna-upāsanā: the formless Supreme is approached through the sanctified symbol (liṅga) as a ritually established presence suitable for pūjā.
It points to liṅga-pratiṣṭhā followed by regular liṅga-pūjā according to prescribed rules—typically including mantra-japa (often the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), offerings, and disciplined observance of purity and devotion.