Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

मतेरिअल् फ़ोर् अ लिङ्ग वैडूर्यनिर्मितं लिङ्गं पुष्परागेण पुष्यके माघे च सूर्यकान्तेन फाल्गुने स्फाटिकेन च

Transliteration

material for a liṅga vaiḍūryanirmitaṃ liṅgaṃ puṣparāgeṇa puṣyake māghe ca sūryakāntena phālgune sphāṭikena ca

Translation

当以吠度利耶（vaiḍūrya，猫眼石）造作林伽。于补沙月（Puṣya）可用补湿波罗伽（puṣparāga，黄玉/托帕石）；于摩伽月（Māgha）用苏利耶迦安多（sūryakānta，日光石）；于法尔古那月（Phālguna）用娑颇胝迦（sphāṭika，水晶）。

Word by Word

• vaiḍūrya-nirmitam: made of cat’s-eye gem

• liṅgam: the sacred emblem of Śiva

• puṣpa-rāgeṇa: with puṣparāga (topaz)

• puṣyake: in the month/season of Puṣya

• māghe: in the month of Māgha

• ca: and

• sūrya-kāntena: with sūryakānta (sunstone)

• phālgune: in the month of Phālguna

• sphāṭikena: with crystal (sphāṭika)

• ca: also/and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-linga installation rules to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prescribes auspicious gemstone materials for constructing a Shiva-liṅga and aligns specific stones with sacred lunar months, emphasizing correct dravya (ritual substance) and kāla (timing) for effective liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and pūjā.

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

By treating the liṅga as worthy of the purest, luminous substances (crystal, sunstone, gems), it points to Śiva as Pati—self-luminous consciousness—approached through a sanctified symbol that helps the paśu (bound soul) loosen pāśa (bondage) via disciplined worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights pūjā-vidhi and pratiṣṭhā discipline—selecting pure materials and auspicious timing—supporting the Pāśupata-oriented path where external observance (ācāra) steadies the mind for inner yoga and devotion to Śiva.