Shloka 18

Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna

Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship

Devanagari script

कारागृहादिमुक्त्यर्थमयुतं कारयेद्बुधः । डाकिन्यादिभये सप्तसहस्रं कारयेत्तथा

Transliteration

kārāgṛhādimuktyarthamayutaṃ kārayedbudhaḥ | ḍākinyādibhaye saptasahasraṃ kārayettathā

Translation

சிறை முதலிய துன்பங்களிலிருந்து விடுதலை பெற அறிவுடையவன் பத்தாயிரம் ஜபம் செய்ய வேண்டும். டாகினி முதலிய தீய அச்சங்கள் வந்தால் ஏழாயிரம் ஜபமும் செய்ய வேண்டும்.

Word by Word

• कारागृहादि-मुक्ति-अर्थम्: for the purpose of release from prison etc.
• कारागृहादि-मुक्ति-अर्थम्: Prayojana/Hetu (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारागृह (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—(कारागृहादि) + (मुक्त्यर्थम् = मुक्ति-अर्थम्)

• अयुतम्: ten thousand (times/units)
• अयुतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; संख्यावाचक-शब्दः (ten thousand)

• कारयेत्: should cause to be done / should perform (have done)
• कारयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) [णिच् causative: कारय-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative)

• बुधः: a wise person
• बुधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• डाकिन्यादि-भये: in (case of) fear from ḍākinīs etc.
• डाकिन्यादि-भये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: डाकिनी (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—डाकिन्यादि-भय (fear of ḍākinīs etc.)

• सप्त-सहस्रम्: seven thousand (times/units)
• सप्त-सहस्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त (प्रातिपदिक) + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (numeral compound)

• कारयेत्: should cause to be done / should perform
• कारयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) [णिच् causative: कारय-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोगः

• तथा: thus; likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Vidyeshvara teachings on mantra-japa results to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: A practical phala-śruti on japa counts for specific afflictions: 10,000 for release from imprisonment/restraints; 7,000 for fear from ḍākinīs and similar beings. It reflects Śiva as both worldly protector and granter of inner freedom.

Significance: Highlights mantra-japa as an accessible remedy when one cannot undertake pilgrimage; emphasizes Śiva’s rakṣā (protection) and śānti (pacification) functions for devotees in crisis.

Mantra Metadata

Type: panchakshara

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that Shiva-mantra japa is not only devotional but also a grace-bearing discipline that loosens bondage (pāśa)—both outer constraints like confinement and inner fears—when performed with steadiness and faith in Pati (Lord Shiva).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The verse assumes practical worship of Saguna Shiva through mantra—commonly the Panchākṣarī—often done before the Shiva-linga; the linga becomes the focal support (ālambana) through which the devotee invokes Shiva’s protecting and liberating presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A fixed-count japa practice: 10,000 repetitions for release from imprisonment-like afflictions, and 7,000 repetitions for fears from ḍākinīs and similar disturbances—ideally performed with purity, concentration, and (where customary) Rudrākṣa mala and Tripuṇḍra.