Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Adhyaya 59 — सूर्याद्यभिषेककथनम्

Surya and Related Abhisheka/ Cosmological Determinations

Devanagari script

नादेयीश्चैव सामुद्रीः कूपाश्चैव तथा घनाः स्थावरा जङ्गमाश्चैव वापीकुल्यादिका अपः

Transliteration

nādeyīścaiva sāmudrīḥ kūpāścaiva tathā ghanāḥ sthāvarā jaṅgamāścaiva vāpīkulyādikā apaḥ

Translation

Maraming uri ang tubig: yaong mula sa ilog at mula sa dagat, yaong hinango sa balon at yaong natipon mula sa ulan; may tubig na nakatigil at may tubig na umaagos—gaya ng sa lawa, mga kanal, at iba pa. Ang mga tubig na ito ay dapat maunawaan bilang angkop na daluyan para sa mga ritwal ng paglilinis at sa mga handog sa pagsamba kay Śiva.

Word by Word

• नादेयीः: river-born waters

• च एव: and indeed

• सामुद्रीः: oceanic/sea waters

• कूपाः: well-waters

• च एव: and also

• तथा: likewise

• घनाः: rain-cloud waters (rainwater)

• स्थावराः: stationary/still (waters)

• जङ्गमाः: moving/flowing (waters)

• च एव: and also

• वापी: tank/reservoir

• कुल्या: canal/irrigation channel

• आदिकाः: and other such (sources)

• अपः: waters

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It lists acceptable categories of water used for śauca (purification) and for abhiṣeka/offering in Liṅga-pūjā, emphasizing that devotion may employ waters from many natural sources.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By permitting diverse waters for worship, it implies Śiva as Pati—the all-pervading Lord who is approached through purity of intention, not restricted by a single external medium, while still honoring ritual order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual purification (snāna/ācamana and preparation of puja-dravya) that supports Pāśupata discipline—outer cleansing as an aid to inner purification of the paśu from pāśa.