Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 32
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
ब्रह्मोवाच । आराध्य गिरिजां देवीं प्रार्थयन्तु सुराश्शिवम् । योनिरूपा भवेच्चेद्वै तदा तत्स्थिरतां व्रजेत्
brahmovāca | ārādhya girijāṃ devīṃ prārthayantu surāśśivam | yonirūpā bhaveccedvai tadā tatsthiratāṃ vrajet
梵天说道：“愿诸天礼敬吉利迦女神，并祈求湿婆大自在天。若她确实以‘阴门’之相（神圣的源生之形，yoni）显现，则此神现将得安住，坚固不移。”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: This verse articulates a liṅga-pīṭha logic: stability of Śiva’s manifestation is secured when Devī manifests as yoni (pīṭha/base), enabling enduring worship. It is a general theological-ritual principle rather than a named Jyotirliṅga legend.
Significance: Affirms Śiva-Śakti interdependence in worship: invoking Girijā is presented as the means to secure Śiva’s accessible presence (arcā-sthairya) and thereby obtain divine grace.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that Śiva’s presence is most firmly ‘established’ when worship includes Girijā (Śakti). In Shaiva Siddhānta language, Pati (Śiva) is approached through devoted worship supported by Śakti, and divine grace becomes steady when the worship is complete and integrated.
The mention of ‘yoni-rūpā’ points to the sacred base (yoni-pīṭha) associated with the liṅga, expressing the inseparable union of Śiva and Śakti in saguna worship. It frames liṅga worship not as abstract symbolism alone, but as a stable, temple-centered manifestation where Śiva is invoked and firmly present.
A practical takeaway is to worship Śiva together with devotion to Girijā/Śakti—performing liṅga-pūjā with respectful attention to the pīṭha (base), offering water and flowers, and praying with the pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for the steady establishment of divine grace.