Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 14

Liṅga-pratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ — Installation Standards and Auspicious Parameters for Liṅga Worship

Devanagari script

अभ्यर्च्य गुरुमाचार्यमर्थैः कामैश्च बांधवम् । दद्यादैश्वर्यमर्थिभ्यो जडमप्यजडं तथा

Transliteration

abhyarcya gurumācāryamarthaiḥ kāmaiśca bāṃdhavam | dadyādaiśvaryamarthibhyo jaḍamapyajaḍaṃ tathā

Translation

Matapos parangalan nang wasto ang sariling guru at ācārya—gayundin ang mga kamag-anak—sa pamamagitan ng matuwid na yaman at angkop na paglilingkod, dapat niyang ipagkaloob ang kasaganaan sa mga humihingi nito; sa ganitong paraan, maging ang mapurol ang isip ay nagiging hindi na mapurol, napipino at nagigising.

Word by Word

• अभ्यर्च्य: having worshipped
• अभ्यर्च्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि√अर्च् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया (prior action)

• गुरुम्: the teacher
• गुरुम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular)

• आचार्यम्: the preceptor
• आचार्यम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular)

• अर्थैः: with wealth/resources
• अर्थैः: करण (Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), बहुवचन (Plural)

• कामैः: with desired objects/pleasures
• कामैः: करण (Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), बहुवचन (Plural)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (Conjunction)

• बान्धवम्: kinsman/relative
• बान्धवम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बान्धव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular)

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपदम्

• ऐश्वर्यम्: prosperity/lordship
• ऐश्वर्यम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐश्वर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular)

• अर्थिभ्यः: to the supplicants/seekers
• अर्थिभ्यः: सम्प्रदान (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/चतुर्थी), बहुवचन (Plural)

• जडम्: a dull person
• जडम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular) — ‘(व्यक्ति/जनम्)’ इति अध्याहार्य

• अपि: even
• अपि: निपात (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (Particle; ‘even/also’)

• अजडम्: a non-dull/wise person
• अजडम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अजड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular) — ‘(व्यक्ति/जनम्)’ इति अध्याहार्य

• तथा: likewise/so too
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-dharma teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

FAQs

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

It teaches that honoring the guru/ācārya and practicing charitable giving purify and refine the practitioner’s consciousness—turning a “jaḍa” (unrefined mind) into “ajaḍa” (clear, awakened)—which supports progress toward Shiva-realization.

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

In Shiva worship, outer pūjā (including Linga worship) is meant to be supported by inner discipline—guru-bhakti, right conduct, and compassion. Serving the guru and giving to seekers aligns one’s life with Saguna Shiva’s grace and prepares the mind for deeper contemplation of Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is guru-pūjā and guru-sevā, followed by dāna (charity) to the needy/seekers; this can be paired with daily Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a mind-purifying discipline.