Shloka 50
पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
हरीतकीमरीचीनां वस्त्रक्षीरादिदानतः । ब्रह्मप्रतिष्ठया चैव क्षयरोगक्षयो भवेत्
harītakīmarīcīnāṃ vastrakṣīrādidānataḥ | brahmapratiṣṭhayā caiva kṣayarogakṣayo bhavet
हरीतकीमरीचीनां वस्त्रक्षीरादिदानतः। ब्रह्मप्रतिष्ठया चैव क्षयरोगक्षयो भवेत्॥
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the merits of Shaiva rites to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakshinamurti
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it continues the phala-śruti style mapping of specific dānas and rites to alleviation of specific rogas (here kṣaya/consumption).
Significance: Frames charity and establishment of sacred order as healing and purifying acts, preparing the paśu (bound soul) for higher knowledge and Śiva-anugraha.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that dāna (charitable giving) performed with sacred intent, together with establishing right worship and spiritual order, purifies karma and removes afflictions—outer disease symbolizing inner impurity—under the grace that flows from Shaiva dharma.
In the Vidyeśvara/Viśveśvara context, merit-bearing acts like dāna support and complete Saguna Shiva worship: offerings and charity become auxiliaries to Linga-devotion, aligning the devotee’s life with Shiva’s auspicious order and bringing both worldly relief and spiritual uplift.
A practical takeaway is to perform dāna—especially of cloth and nourishing items like milk—alongside steady Shiva worship (e.g., Linga-pūjā with mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), dedicating the merit for purification and freedom from suffering.