Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

गुडेन नवनीतेन भस्मनान्नैर्यथारुचि । लिंगं यत्नेन कृत्वांते यजेत्तदनुसारतः

Transliteration

guḍena navanītena bhasmanānnairyathāruci | liṃgaṃ yatnena kṛtvāṃte yajettadanusārataḥ

Translation

可随己意以红糖（jaggery）、鲜酥油、圣灰（bhasma）或谷粮等，精心塑成林伽；既成之后，当依其所用之质与法，作相应之供养礼拜。

Word by Word

• guḍena: with jaggery
• guḍena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• navanītena: with butter
• navanītena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: navanīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• bhasmanā: with ash
• bhasmanā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhasman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• annaiḥ: with foods / grains
• annaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• yathā-ruci: as one likes / according to taste
• yathā-ruci: Sambandha/Anvaya (सम्बन्ध/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + ruci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (adverbial indeclinable): 'rucim anusarati' = according to taste/liking

• liṅgam: liṅga
• liṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: liṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• yatnena: with effort / carefully
• yatnena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yatna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund): having made

• ante: at the end / thereafter
• ante: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); अव्ययीभावार्थे (adverbial sense): 'at the end/afterwards'

• yajet: should worship / should sacrifice
• yajet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yaj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• tat-anusārataḥ: accordingly / following that
• tat-anusārataḥ: Sambandha/Anvaya (सम्बन्ध/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + anusāra (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव/तसिलन्त-अव्यय (adverbial): 'in accordance with that'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadyojāta

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General instruction on creating a temporary/handmade liṅga from available substances (jaggery, butter, bhasma, grains) and worshipping it according to the appropriate procedure for that material.

Significance: Supports domestic and emergency worship: when no permanent shrine is accessible, the devotee may ‘create’ a liṅga and still receive Śiva’s response; emphasizes intention, care (yatna), and procedural appropriateness.

Shakti Dimension

Role: creative

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga
• Bhasma

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere devotion (bhakti) is primary: even a simply made Liṅga—formed from readily available, pure substances—can become a valid support for worship when made with care and reverence toward Pati (Shiva).

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

The Liṅga is presented as a Saguna support for approaching the transcendent Shiva (who is beyond form). By crafting and honoring the Liṅga, the devotee focuses mind and devotion on Shiva’s presence and grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests preparing a Liṅga from jaggery, butter, bhasma, or grains according to one’s means, then performing corresponding worship—offering, reverence, and attentive meditation—consistent with the chosen substance and the prescribed puja-vidhi.