Shloka 22

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

मृन्मयं क्षणिकं वापि भक्त्या स्थाप्य फलं शुभम् सुरेन्द्राम्भोजगर्भाग्नियमाम्बुपधनेश्वरैः

Transliteration

mṛnmayaṃ kṣaṇikaṃ vāpi bhaktyā sthāpya phalaṃ śubham surendrāmbhojagarbhāgniyamāmbupadhaneśvaraiḥ

Translation

Dù chỉ lập một Liṅga bằng đất sét, dù tạm thời, nhưng nếu an lập với lòng bhakti, thì quả phúc cát tường của hành trì ấy được các Chúa tể phương hướng chứng nhận: Indra, Đấng Sinh từ Hoa Sen (Brahmā), Agni, Yama, Varuṇa, Kubera và Īśāna.

Word by Word

• मृन्मयम्: made of clay

• क्षणिकम्: momentary/temporary

• वा अपि: even if

• भक्त्या: with devotion

• स्थाप्य: having installed/established

• फलम्: fruit/result

• शुभम्: auspicious

• सुरेन्द्रैः: by Indra (lord of the Devas)

• अम्भोजगर्भ: the Lotus-born Brahmā

• अग्नि: Agni (fire-deity)

• यम: Yama (lord of justice/death)

• अम्बुप: Varuṇa (lord of waters)

• धन-ईश्वर: Kubera (lord of wealth)

• ईश्वरैः: by Īśāna/Īśvara (Shiva as the lord of the quarters) / by the lords (collectively).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Indra
• Brahma
• Agni
• Yama
• Varuna
• Kubera
• Ishana

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere bhakti makes even a simple, temporary clay Liṅga installation spiritually potent, yielding auspicious merit recognized by the cosmic guardians (dikpālas).

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as accessible and grace-giving: Pati accepts the devotee’s offering regardless of material permanence, emphasizing inner devotion over external grandeur.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā (installation) performed with bhakti—aligned with Pāśupata orientation where disciplined worship and surrender to Pati loosen Pāśa (bondage) upon the Pashu (soul).