Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

अथवा पूजयेच्छंभुं घृतस्नानादिविस्तरैः त्रिधा प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य शुध्यते नात्र संशयः

Transliteration

athavā pūjayecchaṃbhuṃ ghṛtasnānādivistaraiḥ tridhā pradakṣiṇīkṛtya śudhyate nātra saṃśayaḥ

Translation

یا گھی کے اسنان وغیرہ مفصل اُپچاروں کے ساتھ شَمبھُو کی پوجا کرے؛ تین بار پردکشنا کرنے سے وہ پاک ہو جاتا ہے—اس میں کوئی شک نہیں۔

Word by Word

• athavā: or else/alternatively

• pūjayet: one should worship

• śambhum: Śambhu (Śiva, the Beneficent Lord/Pati)

• ghṛta-snāna: bathing with ghee (ritual ablution)

• ādi: beginning with and so forth

• vistaraiḥ: with extensive/expanded rites and offerings

• tridhā: threefold/three times

• pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya: having performed pradakṣiṇā (clockwise circumambulation)

• śudhyate: becomes purified/cleansed

• na: not

• atra: here/in this matter

• saṃśayaḥ: doubt.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śiva-pūjā-vidhi to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It states that elaborate abhiṣeka (such as ghṛta-snāna) and three pradakṣiṇās are themselves purifying acts in Śiva-Liṅga worship, removing ritual impurity and preparing the devotee for grace.

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

By naming Him Śambhu, it presents Śiva as Pati—the beneficent Lord whose worship purifies the paśu (individual soul) and loosens pāśa (bondage) through sanctifying contact with His presence in the Liṅga.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śiva-pūjā-vidhi is highlighted—specifically ghṛta-abhiṣeka and performing pradakṣiṇā three times, a devotional discipline aligned with Pāśupata-style purification through worship and bodily reverence.