Liṅga-pratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ — Installation Standards and Auspicious Parameters for Liṅga Worship
अंगुष्ठादावपि तथा पूजामिच्छंति केचन । लिंगकर्मणि सर्वत्र निषेधोस्ति न कर्हिचित्
aṃguṣṭhādāvapi tathā pūjāmicchaṃti kecana | liṃgakarmaṇi sarvatra niṣedhosti na karhicit
有些奉献者甚至愿意依规从拇指及其余诸指开始行礼而修供养。在一切与湿婆林伽(Śiva-liṅga)相关的行持中,从无任何时刻的禁制——此等礼拜恒常许可。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the teachings of the Śiva Purāṇa to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific (sthala) passage; it lays down a general rule of adhikāra: liṅga-sevā is not barred by time, place, or minor procedural variation, emphasizing Śiva’s accessibility through the liṅga.
Significance: Affirms that liṅga-worship is universally permissible; encourages constant devotion and removes anxiety about prohibitions (niṣedha), thereby supporting steady sādhana.
It emphasizes Śiva’s grace and accessibility: Liṅga-worship is not restricted by rigid prohibitions, so sincere devotion can be expressed through simple, permissible methods that purify the soul (paśu) and turn it toward Pati (Śiva).
The verse affirms that worship of the Śiva-liṅga (a Saguna focus for devotion) can be performed in many valid ways; the essential element is reverence and right intention, not excessive ritual anxiety.
It supports simple Liṅga-pūjā done with the hands (even beginning with thumb/fingers as per one’s tradition), accompanied by bhakti and, where applicable, japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”