Shloka 54
Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna
Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship
न प्राचीमग्रतः शंभोर्नोदीचीं शक्तिसंहितान् । न प्रतीचीं यतः पृष्ठमतो ग्राह्यं समाश्रयेत्
na prācīmagrataḥ śaṃbhornodīcīṃ śaktisaṃhitān | na pratīcīṃ yataḥ pṛṣṭhamato grāhyaṃ samāśrayet
சம்புவின் முன்பாகக் கிழக்கை ‘முன்’ எனக் கொள்ளக் கூடாது; வடக்கை சக்தி-சபைகளின் இடமாகவும் கொள்ளக் கூடாது. மேற்கே அவரின் பின்புறம்; ஆகவே வழிபாட்டில் ஏற்ற முறையான திசை ஒழுங்கையே பின்பற்ற வேண்டும்.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a specific Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse gives general āgamic/ritual orientation rules for Śiva-pūjā.
Significance: Correct dik-orientation is treated as a prerequisite for faultless worship (doṣa-śānti) and for the rite to become fit to bear fruit (phala-yogya).
FAQs
It teaches that devotion to Śiva should be guided by śāstra-based discipline: correct ritual orientation expresses reverence for Śiva as Pati (the Lord) and keeps worship aligned with sacred order rather than personal whim.
In Saguna worship of the Śiva-liṅga, directions and placement are part of the prescribed puja-vidhi; the verse warns against casually assigning “front/back” to the Lord and instructs the worshipper to follow the accepted orientation while honoring Śiva’s transcendence beyond spatial limitation.
It suggests careful adherence to liṅga-pūjā procedure—especially correct orientation/placement during worship—performed with mantra (such as the Pañcākṣarī) and a disciplined, reverent mind.