Shloka 49

स्वेच्छाविग्रहसंभव-प्रतिष्ठाफलवर्णनम् (विविधशिवमूर्तिप्रतिष्ठा, लोक-फल, शिवसायुज्य)

Devanagari script

कृत्वा भक्त्या प्रतिष्ठाप्य शिवलोके महीयते तिष्ठतो ऽथ निकुम्भस्य पृष्ठतश्चरणांबुजम्

Transliteration

kṛtvā bhaktyā pratiṣṭhāpya śivaloke mahīyate tiṣṭhato 'tha nikumbhasya pṛṣṭhataścaraṇāṃbujam

Translation

भक्त्या प्रतिष्ठां कृत्वा स शिवलोके महीयते । अथ निकुम्भस्य पृष्ठतः स्थित्वा चरणाम्बुजं शरणं प्राप्नोति ॥

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done/performed

• भक्त्या: with devotion

• प्रतिष्ठाप्य: having installed/established (the Liṅga)

• शिवलोके: in Śiva-loka, the realm of Śiva

• महीयते: is honored/glorified

• तिष्ठतः: while standing/remaining

• अथ: then/thereupon

• निकुम्भस्य: of Nikumbha

• पृष्ठतः: from behind/at the back

• चरणाम्बुजम्: lotus-feet (caraṇa + ambuja), a metaphor for divine refuge

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nikumbha

FAQs

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

It states that devotional Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā (installation) yields exaltation in Śiva-loka and culminates in taking refuge at Śiva’s lotus-feet—presenting installation as both ritual merit and a path of surrender.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the supreme Lord whose realm grants honor and whose feet are the final refuge, indicating His role as liberator who releases the pashu (soul) from pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā done with bhakti is highlighted; inwardly it aligns with Pāśupata orientation—devotional surrender (śaraṇāgati) to the Lord’s feet as the liberating practice.