||Om Nama: Shivaya||
Chapter – 23 – Vindhyeshwara
Samhitha – 11
Punyakshethre Sthitha Vapi
Koopadhyam Pushkarani Cha| Shivagangethi
Vijjyeyam Shivasya Vachanam Yaya ||
Thathra Snathva Thadha
Dhathva Japithva Hi Shivam Vrajeth | Shivakshethram Samashrithya
Vasedhamaranam Thadha ||
The Rishis speaks “Oh!
Sutha, How did the Linga consecrate? What are the characteristics of a Linga?
How did the performance of Linga should be carried out according to
Dhesha/region and Kala/Time?”
Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh!
Rishis, listen to me carefully, I shall describe the methods of veneration of
Linga, according to the places and favorable times of worship. The Linga should be consecrated on the river
bank on an auspicious time. The Linga
can be made out of clay, metal or precious stones, once consecrated it should
be worshiped on a regular basis. The
worship of Linga on an auspicious day and time would bring an abundance of
meritorious rewards. There are various
types of Linga, Shivaling made of
cow-dug, flowers, Jaggery/Gud, butter,
ashes, and fruits, Chalith Shivalinga/movable, should be small in size, easy to
carry with the person to conduct worship, and Lingas worshiped in shrines
should be in bigger sizes, and the base/pedestal of the Linga may be in
circular or triangular shape, the Peeda and Linga should be made of same
ingredient/clay, gem, or metal. The
Banalinga will not have any pedestal.
According to the Lingapramanam, the height of the Linga should be twelve
times of the finger of the maker, if it does not meet the requirement, there is
no harm in it. A beautiful Vimanam of
the Linga with the image of all the deities imprinted on it should be installed
close to the mirror in the Garbhagriha.
The installation of Linga should be conducted with the recitation of Vedic
chants, the main doors should be decorated with nine types of gems, Neelam,
Rathnam, Vaidooryam, Shyamam, Marakatham, Pearl, Gomedham, Vajram, and Linga
should be installed in the middle of these Navarathnas. The worship of Linga on its five faces and fire
sacrifices should be carried out while consecration. In the same manner, the image of the Lord should be
consecrated in the sanctum; worship of both would bring Shivapadham to the worshiper. The Sthavara Lingas are made
of wood or shrub, the Vibudha/intellectuals, conduct worship of Linga with
intense devotion and faith, and the pedestal represent Paramba/Bhagavathi/Devi
Parvathi gives out the appearance as Devi Uma seated on the left thigh of
supreme Lord Shiva. The veneration of
Mahalingam should be worshiped on a daily basis offering Shodasha Upachara, and
Dvaja according to one’s own capacity.
The Linga consecrated following the prescribed rite and worship of the
same would guarantee Sakshathshivapadham.
The Lingadharshana following austerities would bring commendable
virtues, offering a contribution to the worship of Linga or making Linga also
earns an abundance of merit. The worship of
Shivalinga with intense devotion and faith, or reciting the Pranavamanthra for ten thousands of times
would bring Shivapadham, recitation of thousands of Pranavamanthra in the dawn
would bring the serenity of mind. The recitation
should be performed in one’s own heart, not with an intention to get the attention
of others. The recitation of
Panchakshara thousands of times in the dusk would provide Shivapadham, the
recitation of hymns after obtaining Manthradheeksha from a preceptor would give an abundance of rewards. Whoever engages in
the veneration of Linga, or work for the welfare of the shrine of Shiva or
living in the shrine of Lord Shiva would attain Shivapadham. Whoever dies in the shrine of Lord Shiva,
whether the person is intelligent or not, he would definitely attain Shivapadham. The well, pond, rivers located in the
vicinity of Shivakshethra are considered as Shivaganga.”
The Rishis speaks “Oh!
Sutha, Oh! Yogavarashreshta, kindly enlighten us with the knowledge of sacred
shrines on the Earth.”
