Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 20

Liṅga-pratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ — Installation Standards and Auspicious Parameters for Liṅga Worship

Devanagari script

पुनश्च द्विविधं प्रोक्तं स्थावरं जंगमं तथा । स्थावरं लिंगमित्याहुस्तरुगुल्मादिकं तथा

Transliteration

punaśca dvividhaṃ proktaṃ sthāvaraṃ jaṃgamaṃ tathā | sthāvaraṃ liṃgamityāhustarugulmādikaṃ tathā

Translation

又复宣说：其分为二类——不动者（sthāvara）与可动者（jaṅgama）。不动者称为林伽（Liṅga），如树木、灌丛等，皆被敬奉为湿婆安住不移之临在。

Word by Word

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति/क्रमवाचक (adverb: 'again')

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक (conjunction)

• द्विविधम्: twofold
• द्विविधम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास ('twofold')

• प्रोक्तम्: declared
• प्रोक्तम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-√वच् (धातु) → प्रोक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP) 'said/declared'

• स्थावरम्: the immobile (type)
• स्थावरम्: सम्बन्ध/विभाग (Classification)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थावर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; प्रकार-नाम

• जङ्गमम्: the mobile (type)
• जङ्गमम्: सम्बन्ध/विभाग (Classification)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जङ्गम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; प्रकार-नाम

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/प्रकारार्थ (adverb: 'likewise/also')

• स्थावरम्: the immobile (one)
• स्थावरम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थावर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• लिङ्गम्: liṅga
• लिङ्गम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• इति: thus
• इति: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण/इत्यर्थक (quotative particle)

• आहुः: they say
• आहुः: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• तरु-गुल्म-आदिकम्: trees, shrubs, etc.
• तरु-गुल्म-आदिकम्: सम्बन्ध/उदाहरण (Appositional/Example)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तरु (प्रातिपदिक) + गुल्म (प्रातिपदिक) + आदिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (तरु च गुल्मश्च) + 'आदि' (etc.)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/प्रकारार्थ (adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; it articulates a theological taxonomy: Śiva’s presence is recognized as ‘sthāvara’ (fixed) and ‘jaṅgama’ (moving), expanding liṅga-buddhi beyond temple icons to the natural world.

Significance: Encourages a pan-sacral vision: forests, sacred groves, and revered trees/shrubs can be approached as loci of Śiva’s abiding presence, cultivating continuous remembrance (smaraṇa) beyond pilgrimage sites.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that Shiva’s presence can be approached through two supports (liṅga-bhāva): immovable (sthāvara) and movable (jaṅgama). Even fixed natural forms can serve as sanctified reminders of Pati (Shiva), helping the pashu (individual soul) turn toward devotion and liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The verse frames the Linga as a Saguna support—Shiva made approachable through perceivable forms. By recognizing the sthāvara Linga (fixed sacred presences), the devotee learns to worship Shiva not only in temples but also through consecrated symbols in the world.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is reverential contemplation (bhāvanā) of Shiva’s presence in fixed sacred supports, accompanied by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple offerings (water, bilva) where appropriate to one’s tradition.