Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 50

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

Devanagari script

क्षीरस्नानं ततो विप्राः शताधिकमनुत्तमम् दध्ना सहस्रमाख्यातं मधुना तच्छताधिकम्

Transliteration

kṣīrasnānaṃ tato viprāḥ śatādhikamanuttamam dadhnā sahasramākhyātaṃ madhunā tacchatādhikam

Translation

继而，噢婆罗门圣贤们，以乳为圣林伽行灌顶沐浴（abhiṣeka），宣说其果报超越百倍，至上无比。以凝乳（dadhi）则说得千倍；以蜂蜜则又在其上增百倍。

Word by Word

• क्षीर-स्नानम्: bathing (abhisheka) with milk

• ततः: then/thereafter

• विप्राः: O Brahmins (sages)

• शत-अधिकम्: more than a hundredfold

• अनुत्तमम्: unsurpassed/excellent

• दध्ना: with curd

• सहस्रम्: a thousandfold

• आख्यातम्: declared/taught

• मधुना: with honey

• तत्-शत-अधिकम्: a hundred more than that (i.e., exceeding the previous measure)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It quantifies the relative spiritual merit (puṇya-phala) of Shiva-Linga abhiṣeka with milk, curd, and honey, emphasizing graded excellence in offerings made to Pati (Shiva) for the uplift of the pashu (soul).

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

By presenting Shiva as the supreme recipient of abhiṣeka whose grace multiplies merit beyond ordinary measures, it implies Shiva as Pati—transcendent and unsurpassed—capable of loosening pāśa (bondage) through devotion and right ritual.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Shiva-Linga abhiṣeka (ritual bathing) with kṣīra (milk), dadhi (curd), and madhu (honey), a core element of Shaiva pūjā that supports inner purification aligned with Pāśupata discipline.