Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

नीराजनाद्यैश्चान्यैश् च लिङ्गमूर्तिमहेश्वरम् अगरुं दक्षिणे दद्याद् अघोरेण द्विजोत्तमाः

Transliteration

nīrājanādyaiścānyaiś ca liṅgamūrtimaheśvaram agaruṃ dakṣiṇe dadyād aghoreṇa dvijottamāḥ

Translation

Matapos isagawa ang nīrājana (ārati) at iba pang kaugalian, ang dvija ay maghandog ng mabangong agaru (aloeswood) kay Maheśvara na nananahan sa anyo ng Liṅga, ilagay ito sa kanang panig, habang binibigkas ang Aghora‑mantra, O pinakamainam sa mga Brāhmaṇa.

Word by Word

• नीराजनाद्यैः: by ārati and related rites

• च: and

• अन्यैः: by other (observances)

• च: also

• लिङ्गमूर्ति-महेश्वरम्: Maheśvara whose form is the Liṅga

• अगरुम्: agaru/aloeswood (fragrant wood)

• दक्षिणे: on the right side

• दद्याद्: should give/offer

• अघोरेण: with (the mantra) Aghora

• द्विजोत्तमाः: O best among the twice-born (Brāhmaṇas).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja instructions to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Maheshvara
• Linga

FAQs

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

It specifies an upacāra (service) in Liṅga-pūjā: after nīrājana (ārati), one should offer agaru fragrance to the Liṅga-Maheśvara, showing reverence through scent and right-sided placement as part of orderly ritual worship.

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

Shiva is affirmed as Pati—Maheśvara—present and worshipable as the Liṅga-mūrti, indicating that the transcendent Lord graciously assumes an iconic form so the pashu (bound soul) may approach Him through disciplined worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-guided pūjā is highlighted—specifically offering agaru while using the Aghora-mantra—linking external worship (upacāra) with inner purification, a Shaiva method for weakening pasha (bondage) and orienting the practitioner toward Shiva.