Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

पुरुषेण मुनिश्रेष्ठा हरितालं च पूर्वतः सितागरूद्भवं विप्रास् तथा कृष्णागरूद्भवम्

Transliteration

puruṣeṇa muniśreṣṭhā haritālaṃ ca pūrvataḥ sitāgarūdbhavaṃ viprās tathā kṛṣṇāgarūdbhavam

Translation

噢，最胜牟尼！先在东方备得哈利多罗（haritāla，黄色雄黄）。又诸婆罗门，当依仪轨备办由沉香（agaru）所出之芳香之物：或淡白者，或深黑者。此等清净资具，当用于林伽供养，扶持行者由缚（pāśa）趋向主宰（Pati，湿婆）之恩 grace。

Word by Word

• पुरुषेण: by a man/with a person (the performer)

• मुनिश्रेष्ठाः: O best of sages

• हरितालम्: haritāla, yellow orpiment (a ritual pigment/substance)

• च: and

• पूर्वतः: first, at the outset

• सित-अगरू-द्भवम्: that which arises from white/pale agaru (a fragrant derivative)

• विप्राः: O brāhmaṇas

• तथा: likewise/also

• कृष्ण-अगरू-द्भवम्: that which arises from black/dark agaru (a fragrant derivative)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It specifies key puja-dravyas—haritāla and agaru-derived fragrances—indicating that Linga-puja is supported by carefully chosen, pure substances that refine the worshipper’s intention and ritual correctness.

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

By emphasizing offerings made to the Linga, it points to Śiva as Pati—the transcendent Lord who receives devotion through symbol and rite, and grants the pashu release from pāśa through grace when worship is performed with purity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical aspect of Shiva-puja (dravya-saṅgraha: gathering prescribed materials), which in the Pāśupata-oriented frame functions as disciplined worship that purifies the pashu and aligns body, speech, and mind toward Śiva.