Shloka 3

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

विश्वेदेवास् तथा रौप्यं वसवः कान्तिकं शुभम् आरकूटमयं वायुर् अश्विनौ पार्थिवं सदा

Transliteration

viśvedevās tathā raupyaṃ vasavaḥ kāntikaṃ śubham ārakūṭamayaṃ vāyur aśvinau pārthivaṃ sadā

Translation

விச்வேதேவர்கள் வெள்ளிமய லிங்கத்தை ஆதாரமாகக் கொண்டு வழிபடுகின்றனர்; வசுக்கள் மங்களமான ஒளிமிக்கப் பொருளால். வாயு ஆரகூட (செம்பு-கலவை) மய லிங்கத்தையும், அச்வினிகள் எப்போதும் பார்திவ (மண்ண்மய) லிங்கத்தையும் வழிபடுகின்றனர். இவ்வாறு பொருள் விதானம் தேவசக்திகளுக்கேற்ப பதி சிவசேவையாகும்.

Word by Word

• विश्वेदेवाः: the Viśvedevas (a class of Vedic deities)

• तथा: likewise/also

• रौप्यम्: silver

• वसवः: the Vasus (eight deities)

• कान्तिकम्: radiant/beautiful/lustrous

• शुभम्: auspicious

• आरकूटमयम्: made of ārakūṭa (a copper/metal alloy)

• वायुः: Vāyu (Wind-deity)

• अश्विनौ: the Aśvins (twin physician gods)

• पार्थिवम्: earthy/terrestrial (made of earth)

• सदा: always

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Vishvedevas
• Vasus
• Vayu
• Ashvins
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It assigns specific substances (silver, radiant metals, copper-alloy, earth) to Vedic deity-groups, showing that Linga-pratiṣṭhā uses consecrated materials harmonized with cosmic powers, ultimately offered to Pati (Śiva).

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the integrative Lord (Pati) to whom diverse divine functions are subordinated; the many deities and materials become instruments in a single Shaiva act of worship directed to the supreme Linga.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it points to dravya-niyama in Linga installation (choosing proper materials). Yogically, it supports Pāśupata discipline by purifying the pashu (soul) through regulated outer worship that loosens pasha (bondage).