Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

प्रतिष्ठाप्य ततः स्नाप्य समभ्यर्च्य महेश्वरम् देवस्य दक्षिणे हस्ते शूलं त्रिदशपूजितम्

Transliteration

pratiṣṭhāpya tataḥ snāpya samabhyarcya maheśvaram devasya dakṣiṇe haste śūlaṃ tridaśapūjitam

Translation

先行安置（立像），继而沐浴净洗，并以圆满恭敬礼拜大自在天（Mahādeva）；随后当将为诸天所崇敬礼赞的三叉戟，安置于主尊的右手之中，以成就其显现之加持。

Word by Word

• प्रतिष्ठाप्य: having installed/consecrated

• ततः: thereafter

• स्नाप्य: having bathed/abluted

• समभ्यर्च्य: having duly worshipped

• महेश्वरम्: Maheshvara (the Supreme Lord Shiva)

• देवस्य: of the Lord/deity

• दक्षिणे: in the right

• हस्ते: hand

• शूलम्: trident (śūla)

• त्रिदशपूजितम्: worshipped by the thirty gods (the devas)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Maheshvara
• Devas

FAQs

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

It outlines a core sequence of Linga-pratiṣṭhā: installation (pratiṣṭhā), ritual bathing (snāna/abhiṣeka), and worship (arcana), culminating in adorning the deity with the trident—signifying the established presence of Pati (Shiva) in the consecrated form.

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

Shiva is approached as Mahēśvara, the supreme Pati worshipped even by the devas; the trident in His right hand signals sovereign lordship and the power to sever pasha (bondage) and uphold cosmic order for the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical puja-vidhi is highlighted: pratiṣṭhā, abhiṣeka, and arcana. The trident’s placement functions as a ritual marker of Pāśupata authority—Shiva as the liberating Lord who dispels bonds through grace (anugraha).