Shloka 32
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
ब्रह्मोवाच । आराध्य गिरिजां देवीं प्रार्थयन्तु सुराश्शिवम् । योनिरूपा भवेच्चेद्वै तदा तत्स्थिरतां व्रजेत्
brahmovāca | ārādhya girijāṃ devīṃ prārthayantu surāśśivam | yonirūpā bhaveccedvai tadā tatsthiratāṃ vrajet
బ్రహ్మ అన్నాడు—దేవతలు గిరిజా దేవిని ఆరాధించి పరమేశ్వరుడైన శివుని ప్రార్థించాలి. ఆమె యోనిరూపంగా ప్రత్యక్షమైతే, ఆ దివ్యప్రకటన స్థిరంగా ప్రతిష్ఠితమవుతుంది.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: This verse articulates a liṅga-pīṭha logic: stability of Śiva’s manifestation is secured when Devī manifests as yoni (pīṭha/base), enabling enduring worship. It is a general theological-ritual principle rather than a named Jyotirliṅga legend.
Significance: Affirms Śiva-Śakti interdependence in worship: invoking Girijā is presented as the means to secure Śiva’s accessible presence (arcā-sthairya) and thereby obtain divine grace.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that Śiva’s presence is most firmly ‘established’ when worship includes Girijā (Śakti). In Shaiva Siddhānta language, Pati (Śiva) is approached through devoted worship supported by Śakti, and divine grace becomes steady when the worship is complete and integrated.
The mention of ‘yoni-rūpā’ points to the sacred base (yoni-pīṭha) associated with the liṅga, expressing the inseparable union of Śiva and Śakti in saguna worship. It frames liṅga worship not as abstract symbolism alone, but as a stable, temple-centered manifestation where Śiva is invoked and firmly present.
A practical takeaway is to worship Śiva together with devotion to Girijā/Śakti—performing liṅga-pūjā with respectful attention to the pīṭha (base), offering water and flowers, and praying with the pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for the steady establishment of divine grace.