Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

मन्दरं वा प्रकुर्वीत शिवाय विधिपूर्वकम् भक्त्या वित्तानुसारेण उत्तमाधममध्यमम्

Transliteration

mandaraṃ vā prakurvīta śivāya vidhipūrvakam bhaktyā vittānusāreṇa uttamādhamamadhyamam

Translation

或者，应依所规定的仪轨，为主湿婆如法营建一座曼陀罗（祭仪亭坛/坛场布置）——以虔敬之心，随自身资财而作，或极为殊胜，或朴素，或居中适度。

Word by Word

• मन्दरम्/मण्डरम् (mandaram/maṇḍaram): ritual pavilion/altar arrangement

• वा (vā): or

• प्रकुर्वीत (prakurvīta): should prepare/construct

• शिवाय (śivāya): for Śiva

• विधिपूर्वकम् (vidhipūrvakam): according to rule, in due ritual order

• भक्त्या (bhaktyā): with devotion

• वित्तानुसारेण (vittānusāreṇa): according to one’s wealth/means

• उत्तम (uttama): best/excellent

• अधम (adhama): least/modest

• मध्यमम् (madhyamam): middling/average

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It legitimizes Shiva-arcana performed at different economic levels, teaching that correct method (vidhi) and devotion (bhakti) are primary, while the scale of arrangements may vary by one’s means.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the Lord who accepts worship offered with sincere bhakti; the verse stresses that access to Śiva’s grace is not restricted by material capacity when worship is done according to dharma.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights puja-vidhi—constructing a proper worship setting (maṇḍara/altar-pavilion) for Śiva—and reflects the Shaiva principle that outer ritual should be supported by inner bhakti, a key orientation of Pāśupata discipline.