Shloka 13

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

अङ्गुल्यग्रेण वै धीमांस् तर्पयेद्देवतर्पणम् ऋषीन् कनिष्ठाङ्गुलिना श्रोत्रियः सर्वसिद्धये

Transliteration

aṅgulyagreṇa vai dhīmāṃs tarpayeddevatarpaṇam ṛṣīn kaniṣṭhāṅgulinā śrotriyaḥ sarvasiddhaye

Translation

具慧而受吠陀训练者，当以指尖向诸天行供水礼（tarpaṇa）；以小指向诸仙圣（Ṛṣi）行供水礼——使在奉事湿婆（Śiva）的修持中，一切灵性成就皆得圆满。

Word by Word

• aṅguly-agreṇa: with the tips of the fingers

• vai: indeed

• dhīmān: the intelligent/wise one

• tarpayet: should satisfy/offer libation

• deva-tarpaṇam: the tarpaṇa meant for the Devas

• ṛṣīn: the seers (ṛṣis)

• kaniṣṭha-aṅgulinā: with the little finger

• śrotriyaḥ: one learned in the Veda (a qualified ritualist)

• sarva-siddhaye: for the attainment of all siddhis/complete success

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja and ancillary rites as taught in the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Rishis

FAQs

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

It prescribes the correct finger-usage for tarpaṇa to Devas and Ṛṣis, showing that precise Vedic observance supports the purity and efficacy of Śiva-pūjā, leading to siddhi (successful completion of the rite).

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

Indirectly, it presents Śiva as Pati—the Lord who grants siddhi—while the worshipper (pashu) reduces pasha (bondage/impurity) through disciplined ritual order and reverence to cosmic powers (Devas) and seer-lineages (Ṛṣis).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Aṅga-nyāsa-like ritual precision within tarpaṇa: offering water-libations with specific fingers for specific recipients, as an ancillary practice supporting Śiva-pūjā and the practitioner’s attainment of spiritual success.