Shloka 87

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

Devanagari script

तत्तद्वर्णैस् तथा चूर्णैः श्वेतचूर्णैरथापि वा एकहस्तप्रमाणेन कृत्वा पद्मं विधानतः

Transliteration

tattadvarṇais tathā cūrṇaiḥ śvetacūrṇairathāpi vā ekahastapramāṇena kṛtvā padmaṃ vidhānataḥ

Translation

以相应色彩之粉末——或仅以白粉亦可——依仪则绘制一朵一掌量的莲华图。此有序之曼荼罗成为林伽供奉的清净道场，使众生（paśu）由持戒有度的仪轨而趋近主宰（Pati）。

Word by Word

• tat-tat-varṇaiḥ: with those respective colors

• tathā: and likewise

• cūrṇaiḥ: with powdered substances

• śveta-cūrṇaiḥ: with white powder

• atha api vā: or even alternatively

• eka-hasta-pramāṇena: with the measure of one hand-span

• kṛtvā: having made/drawn

• padmam: a lotus (diagram/mandala)

• vidhānataḥ: according to injunction/ritual rule

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja procedure to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

It prescribes preparing a consecrated worship-field by drawing a lotus mandala of a fixed measure; the ordered padma becomes the pure base for offering to the Linga, aligning the rite with śāstric vidhi.

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

By emphasizing purity, order, and prescribed measure, the verse points to Shiva as Pati—the supreme regulator—approached through disciplined purification, where the paśu turns from pasha-bound disorder toward the Lord’s auspicious order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A puja-vidhi step: mandala-rachana (drawing a lotus diagram) with colored/white powders as spatial purification and focus, supporting one-pointed devotion akin to Pashupata-oriented inner and outer discipline.