Shloka 31
पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
नित्यनैमित्तिकं कालात्सद्यः काम्ये स्वनुष्ठिते । नित्यं मासं च पक्षं च वर्षं चैव यथाक्रमम्
nityanaimittikaṃ kālātsadyaḥ kāmye svanuṣṭhite | nityaṃ māsaṃ ca pakṣaṃ ca varṣaṃ caiva yathākramam
நித்தியமும் நைமித்திகமும் ஆன கர்மங்களின் பலன் காலம் வந்தபின் கிடைக்கும்; ஆனால் காம்ய கர்மத்தை முறையாகச் செய்தால் அதன் பலன் உடனே விளையும். வரிசையாக—காம்யத்திற்கு உடனடி, மற்றவற்றிற்கு தினம், மாதம், பக்கம், ஆண்டு எனப் பலன் உண்டாகும்.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Explains temporal maturation of karma-phala (nitya/naimittika vs kāmya). In Siddhānta, this maps to pāśa as karmic bondage whose fruits ripen by time; liberation requires Śiva’s anugraha beyond mere karma.
FAQs
It distinguishes duties done as dharma (nitya/naimittika) from desire-driven rites (kāmya), teaching that disciplined, regular observance ripens results over time, while kāmya aims at quick, worldly outcomes—encouraging the seeker to prefer steady Shiva-oriented practice.
Linga-worship is ideally a nitya practice—steady, devotional service to Saguna Shiva—performed without bargaining for immediate rewards; the verse frames such regular worship as a time-tested purifier that matures the soul toward Shiva’s grace.
Maintain nitya Shiva-upāsanā—daily japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Linga-pūjā—while observing periodic vows (fortnightly/monthly/yearly) as naimittika disciplines, prioritizing purity and consistency over desire-based ritualism.