पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
जन्मार्पणाच्छिवः प्रीतिः स्वसायुज्यं ददाति हि । इदं तज्जन्मनैवेद्यं शिवस्यैव प्रदापयेत्
janmārpaṇācchivaḥ prītiḥ svasāyujyaṃ dadāti hi | idaṃ tajjanmanaivedyaṃ śivasyaiva pradāpayet
जन्मार्पणाच्छिवः प्रीतिः स्वसायुज्यं ददाति हि । इदं तज्जन्मनैवेद्यं शिवस्यैव प्रदापयेत् ॥
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-worship teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Defines the salvific fruit of total self-offering: Śiva’s pleasure (prīti) culminating in sāyujya (union). This frames pilgrimage/temple worship as meaningful when it matures into ātma-samarpaṇa.
Role: liberating
Offering: naivedya
It teaches that the highest offering is self-surrender—dedicating one’s entire life to Shiva—through which Shiva’s grace grants sāyujya (intimate union/liberation in nearness to Shiva).
While external offerings (naivedya) are made to the Linga, this verse elevates the inner offering: offering one’s very self to Saguna Shiva worshiped as the Linga, which pleases Shiva most and draws His liberating grace.
Perform naivedya with the resolve of janmārpaṇa—mentally offering your life, actions, and identity to Shiva—ideally alongside japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as an act of sustained surrender.