Shloka 16

Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna

Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship

Devanagari script

उत्तरोत्तरमेवं स्यात्पूर्वोक्तगणनाविधि । मतांतरमथो वक्ष्ये संख्यायां मुनिभेदतः

Transliteration

uttarottaramevaṃ syātpūrvoktagaṇanāvidhi | matāṃtaramatho vakṣye saṃkhyāyāṃ munibhedataḥ

Translation

ఇలా తరువాత తరువాత కూడా పూర్వోక్త గణనావిధియే ఉండాలి. సంఖ్య విషయంలో మునుల భేదమున్నందున ఇప్పుడు మరో మతాన్ని నేను వివరిస్తాను.

Word by Word

• उत्तर-उत्तरम्: successively/further and further
• उत्तर-उत्तरम्: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण (adverbial: ‘successively, each following’)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘thus’)

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पूर्व-उक्त-गणना-विधिः: the previously stated method of counting
• पूर्व-उक्त-गणना-विधिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + उक्त (कृदन्त; √वच् (धातु) क्त) + गणना (प्रातिपदिक) + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः—पूर्वं उक्तः (कर्मधारय), उक्तस्य गणना (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष), गणनायाः विधिः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• मत-अन्तरम्: a different opinion/alternative view
• मत-अन्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; समासः—मतयोः अन्तरम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• अथ: then/now
• अथ: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तर/आरम्भसूचक-अव्यय (then/now)

• वक्ष्ये: I shall state
• वक्ष्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• संख्यायाम्: in the enumeration/count
• संख्यायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन

• मुनि-भेदतः: according to the differences among sages
• मुनि-भेदतः: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + भेद (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तद्धित-प्रत्यय; अव्ययभाव)
• Form: तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb: ‘according to/from’); समासः—मुनिनां भेदः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) + तः

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This verse is methodological: it acknowledges variant enumerations among sages regarding counting rules (gaṇanā-vidhi) for the preceding prescriptions. It reflects the Purāṇic habit of preserving multiple paramparā-views rather than forcing a single harmonization.

Significance: Indirect: teaches humility and flexibility in practice—when traditions differ, one should follow an authorized lineage/teacher rather than argue, which itself is a sādhana-supporting attitude.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Sages (Munis)

FAQs

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

It affirms disciplined transmission of scripture: even when sages differ in numerical reckoning, the Shaiva teaching remains steady, and the listener is guided to follow a consistent method without losing the essence of devotion to Shiva.

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

It supports reliable practice: Linga-worship and Shaiva observances depend on correct understanding of instructions; the verse acknowledges variant enumerations while safeguarding the continuity of the worship-method previously taught.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Follow the previously given procedure with steadiness—apply the same disciplined approach in japa and observances (such as Panchakshara japa, Tripundra, and Rudraksha practices) even if different traditions present different counts or listings.