Shloka 24

Devanagari script

न तस्य शक्यते वक्तुं पुण्यं शतयुगैरपि जीर्णं वा पतितं वापि खण्डितं स्फुटितं तथा

Transliteration

na tasya śakyate vaktuṃ puṇyaṃ śatayugairapi jīrṇaṃ vā patitaṃ vāpi khaṇḍitaṃ sphuṭitaṃ tathā

Translation

Священная заслуга, рождаемая поклонением Шива-лингаму, не может быть исчерпывающе выражена даже за сто юг. Пусть лингам стар, упал, разбит или треснул — поклонение, совершённое с бхакти, всё равно приносит неизменный плод.

Word by Word

• na: not

• tasya: of that (worship/act/merit)

• śakyate: is possible

• vaktum: to describe/say

• puṇyam: merit, sacred fruit

• śatayugaiḥ api: even by (counting through) a hundred yugas

• jīrṇam: worn/old

• vā: or

• patitam: fallen

• vā api: or even

• khaṇḍitam: broken into pieces/damaged

• sphuṭitam: cracked/split

• tathā: likewise/so too

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It asserts that the puṇya of liṅga-pūjā is immeasurable, and that sincere devotion to Pati (Śiva) remains efficacious even when the liṅga’s material condition is imperfect (old, fallen, broken, or cracked).

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as transcending external limitations: the grace and fruit of worship depend primarily on bhāva (inner intention) and devotion to Pati, not merely on flawless physical form.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights liṅga-pūjā sustained by bhakti and reverence; implicitly it supports the Pāśupata view that inner orientation to Pati is central, while outer defects do not negate the sādhana when performed with right intent.