Shloka 2

Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi

Devanagari script

मृदादिरत्नपर्यन्तैर् द्रव्यैः कृत्वा शिवालयम् यत्फलं लभते मर्त्यस् तत्फलं वक्तुमर्हसि

Transliteration

mṛdādiratnaparyantair dravyaiḥ kṛtvā śivālayam yatphalaṃ labhate martyas tatphalaṃ vaktumarhasi

Translation

Dùng vật liệu từ đất sét đơn sơ cho đến châu báu quý giá, khi một phàm nhân dựng đền thờ cho Chúa Śiva, xin Ngài hãy tuyên thuyết phala—quả báo công đức—mà người ấy đạt được.

Word by Word

• mṛdā-ādi: beginning with clay

• ratna-paryanta: extending up to gems

• dravyaiḥ: with materials/substances

• kṛtvā: having made/built

• śiva-ālayam: Śiva’s abode, a temple of Śiva

• yat-phalam: whatever fruit/merit

• labhate: obtains

• martyas: a mortal (bound soul, paśu)

• tat-phalam: that fruit/merit

• vaktum: to speak, to explain

• arhasi: you are worthy/please do (it is proper for you)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (outer narration), presenting a question from the sages to be answered within the discourse on Shiva-puja and temple-construction merit

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames temple-construction (śivālaya-nirmāṇa) as a powerful form of Linga-centered devotion, asking for the specific phala gained by establishing Śiva’s sacred abode for worship.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the supreme Lord whose presence can be invoked and stabilized through a consecrated abode; serving that abode becomes a means for the paśu (mortal soul) to move toward grace and purification.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights śiva-sevā through temple building and support of public worship—an outer discipline that complements Pāśupata-oriented purification by loosening pāśa (bondage) via devotion, merit, and consecrated action.