Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

शैलजं प्रथमं प्रोक्तं तद्धि साक्षाच्चतुर्विधम् द्वितीयं रत्नजं तच्च सप्तधा मुनिसत्तमाः

Transliteration

śailajaṃ prathamaṃ proktaṃ taddhi sākṣāccaturvidham dvitīyaṃ ratnajaṃ tacca saptadhā munisattamāḥ

Translation

Una, ipinahayag ang Liṅga na isinilang mula sa bundok (bato); tunay na ito’y tuwirang may apat na uri. Ikalawa ang Liṅga na isinilang mula sa hiyas; at iyon, O pinakadakilang mga muni, ay may pitong uri.

Word by Word

• śailajam: stone/mountain-born (Liṅga)

• prathamam: first

• proktam: is declared/taught

• tat: that

• hi: indeed

• sākṣāt: directly/explicitly

• caturvidham: fourfold/of four kinds

• dvitīyam: second

• ratnajam: gem-born (made of jewels)

• ca: and

• tat: that

• saptadhā: sevenfold/in seven ways

• munisattamāḥ: O best of sages

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes an authoritative taxonomy of worship-worthy Liṅgas—stone and gem—so devotees can choose proper materials and forms for Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and daily pūjā.

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

By allowing multiple material embodiments (stone/gem with defined subtypes), the verse implies Shiva as Pati (the Lord) is not limited by matter; the Liṅga is a sanctioned support for realizing the formless Śiva-tattva through form.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Liṅga-upāsanā is foregrounded—selecting a proper Liṅga for installation and worship—serving as a concrete aid for Pāśupata-oriented sādhana that purifies the paśu (soul) and loosens pāśa (bondage) through disciplined pūjā.