Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 34
शङ्खचूडस्य मायायुद्धं तथा माहेश्वरास्त्रप्रभावः | Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Māyā-Warfare and the Power of the Māheśvara Astra
विशेषेण हरेर्लक्ष्म्याः शंखतोयं महाप्रियम् । संबंधिनां च तस्यापि न हरस्य महामुने
viśeṣeṇa harerlakṣmyāḥ śaṃkhatoyaṃ mahāpriyam | saṃbaṃdhināṃ ca tasyāpi na harasya mahāmune
اے مہامنی! شنکھ کا جل خاص طور پر ہری اور لکشمی کو نہایت عزیز ہے؛ اور ان سے وابستہ لوگوں کو بھی، مگر ہر (شیو) کو وہ اتنا عزیز نہیں۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: No direct Jyotirliṅga-sthala episode is invoked here; the verse is a ritual-theological aside distinguishing Vaiṣṇava preference (śaṅkha-toya) from Śaiva usage.
Significance: Functions as a sectarian-ritual clarification: for Śiva-pūjā, conch-water is not singled out as especially प्रिय; Śaiva rites prioritize other media (jala from tīrtha, pañcāmṛta, bhasma, bilva) over Vaiṣṇava śaṅkha symbolism.
Shakti Form: Lalitā
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights that devotional worship (bhakti) must follow the deity’s own accepted mode (ācāra): offerings dear to Viṣṇu—like conch-water—are not automatically prescribed for Śiva, underscoring distinct Shaiva ritual identity while honoring other traditions.
In Śiva-linga worship, the Purāṇic tradition emphasizes Śiva-accepted upacāras (such as bilva, bhasma, rudrākṣa, and Śiva-mantras). The verse cautions against importing Vaishnava-specific ritual items as primary offerings for the Śiva-linga.
Adopt Śaiva-appropriate upacāras: apply tripuṇḍra (bhasma), use rudrākṣa, and worship with Śiva-mantras (notably the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bilva-leaves and pure water as traditionally accepted for Śiva.