||Om Nama: Shivaya||
Chapter – 55 – Rudra
Samhitha/Shrishti Kanda – 14
The Rishis speak “Oh! Sutha,
Oh! Mahabhaga, Oh! Vyasashishya, kindly enlighten us with the knowledge of the type
of flowers and fruits that are used for the veneration of Linga and what are the
meritorious rewards available.”
Sutha Pauaranika speaks “Oh!
Rishis, listen to me carefully, I shall narrate the conversation took place between
Maharishi Narada and Lord Bhrama on the above topic.”
Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh!
Vathsa, the veneration of Linga with the lotus flowers, Shankhapushpa,
Shathapathra/lotus flower with thousand petals and the bale leaves would
provide the eternal presence of Lakshmi in the home of worshiper; therefore whoever
desires for richness should carry out the worship of Linga with the above-said
flowers. The worship of Linga with the lakh of lotus flowers would remove all
the sins and brings an abundance of wealth. The worship of Linga with the twenty
numbers of lotus flowers, five hundred bale leaves, five hundred lotus flower
petals, and Sixteen Pala, would fulfill all the desires of the worshiper. Oh!
Mune, whoever wants to achieve the Kingdom should worship crores of
Parththivashivalinga/Shivalinga made out of the sand. The veneration should be
carried out by offering unbroken yellow rice, application of sandalwood paste,
and sprinkling water on the Linga. The lotus flowers and bale leaves are
offered to the Parththiva Shivalinga as a part of veneration, and offering
Shakha Pusha to Linga would fulfill all the desires of the worshiper. The
worship should be completed with the offering of Dhoopa, Dheepa, Neivedhya,
Harathi, Pradhakshinam, Namaskaram, Kshamapanam, Visarjjanam of the Parththiva
Shivalinga, at the end of the worship the worshiper should partake meal with
the people assembled in the worship of the Linga.”
Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh!
Mune, I shall narrate the significance of the worship of Parththivashivalinga,
whoever desires to achieve dignified position should carry out the worship half
crore of Parththivashivalinga. Whoever desires to get freed from the prison
should conduct worship hundred of thousands of Parththivashivalinga. Whoever
desires to get rid of ailments should worship fifty thousands of
Parththivashivalinga. The childless couple who desires for a girl child should
conduct the worship of twenty-five crores of the Parththivashivalinga and with
the same number of flowers. The person who is desirous to achieve supreme
knowledge should worship twelve thousand Parththivashivalinga with five hundred
lotus flowers. Whoever desirous to achieve excellence in speech should worship
Lord Shiva with the ghee lamp, the worshiper who desirous to win over the
enemies should conduct the worship of one lakh Parththivashivlinga with the
same number of flowers, the worship of fifty thousands of Parththivashivalinga
would provide beauty and attractiveness.
The worship of crores of
Parththivashivalinga would provide victory over the Kingsmen, and it would
provide fame as well. Whoever desirous to achieve vehicles of any kind to make
the simple living comfortable should conduct the worship of thousands of Parththivashivalinga.
Whoever desirous to achieve salvation from the repeated births should undertake
the worship of five crores of Parththivashivalinga. The person who is desirous
of supreme wisdom should worship Lord Shankara who is Lokashankara, by constructing
crores of Parththiva Shivalinga. Whoever desirous to achieve the Dharshan of
the supreme Lord Shiva should conduct the five million Parththivashivalinga.”
Lord Bhrama speaks “ Oh!
Munishwara, I shall narrate the methods of recitation of sacred hymns of Lord
Shiva and its benefits. The recitation
of five lakh Mrithyunjaya Manthra would fulfill all the desires of the
worshiper, and the worshiper would attain the eternal grace of Lord Shiva. If a
person recited 2.5 lakh Mrithyunjaya Manthra would achieve birth in a higher
clan, the recitation 3 lakh Mrithyunjaya Manthra would fulfill all the desires
of the worshiper, and recitation of 4 lakh Mrithyunjaya Manthra would bring
eternal grace of Lord Mahadeva. The recitation of Mahamrithyunjaya Manthra for
five or ten lakh times would provide an abundance of meritorious rewards to the
worshiper.”
Lord Bhrama speaks “ Oh!
Vathsa, I shall narrate the types of flowers used for the veneration of Linga. The
worship of Lord Shiva with the Kusha grass would provide salvation, the
veneration of one lakh Parththivashiva
Linga is considered highly auspicious. Whoever desirous to attain long life
should worship Lord shiva with the Dhurva Grass, whoever desirous to have a
male progeny should worship Lord Shiva with the Dhaththura flowers, and the worship of Dhaththura with red stalk
is highly auspicious. The veneration of Linga with the Agasthya Kusuma would
provide fame, the worship of Linga with the Tulsi provides worldly pleasures,
and salvation as well. The veneration of Linga with the flowers of Mandhara,
Arkkapushpa, Kubjaka, and Kalhara would provide Bhukthi and Mukthi as well. The
worship of Linga with the Japakusuma would harm the enemies; the worship of
Linga with Karaveera would eradicate all the illnesses. The worship of
Linga with the Bandhookakusuma would provide wealth and ornaments, worship
with the jasmine flowers would provide possession of horses and vehicles, the
worship of Linga with the Athaseepushpa would bring nearness to Lord Vishnu.
The worship of Linga with the Shamipathra would bring devotion as well as
salvation. The worship of Linga with Jasmine would provide a beautiful wife
as a wedded wife. The worship of Linga with the Yuthikakusuma would remove the
sufferings of poverty; the worship of Linga with the Karnnikapushpa would bring an
abundance of clothes. The worship of Linga with the Nirgundikusuma, the
devotees would get freed from mental illnesses and redundant thoughts as well.
The worship of Linga with the lakhs of Bilwapathra would fulfill all the
desires of the worshiper. The worship of Linga with the Harashrungarapushpa would
bring worldly pleasures and comforts, and the worship of Linga with the flowers
available in the seasons would definitely achieve salvation. The worship of
Linga with the Rajikakusuma would harm the enemies, and worship of one lakh
Rajikakusuma would bring an abundance of meritorious rewards. Oh! Rishi, the
flowers of Champaka and Kethaka are forbidden for the worship of Linga, therefore
the veneration of Linga should not be conducted with these flowers.”
Lord Bhrama speaks “ Oh!
Mune, I shall narrate the meritorious rewards earned by offering various grains
to Lord Shiva. The offering of rice would bring richness to the worshiper, /unbroken
yellow rice/ and Vasthra, coconut, incense, lamp, with the recitation of Vedic
chants, should be offered in order to achieve the results of the complete
worship. The Dhakshina should be offered to the priest, and twelve Bhramans should
be fed, it would bring the results of Lakshapuja. The daily worship of Linga
and feeding the devotees of Lord Shiva would bring an abundance of piousness; it
would remove the miseries and sorrows. Oh! Vathasa, Lord Shiva narrated Goddess
Parvathi about the merits of the worship of Linga with the grains, which
provides welfare and happiness. The worship of Linga with the grain would
provide offspring to a childless couple, worship with the green gram would bring
happiness and worldly pleasures, at the end of worship, serving the Bhramanas
with the sumptuous meal would bring commendable rewards. The worship of Linga
with the Priyangu flowers would provide Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha as
well. The offering mustard seeds, black pepper, Arahara pulses on the Linga
would remove enemies, and offering charities of cow and bull would please Lord
Shiva. The worship of Linga with the Arahara flowers would bring worldly
pleasures. Oh! Sages I have explained the worship of Linga with the grains and
pulses as well.”
Lord Bhrama speaks “Oh! Sage,
Maharishi Vedavyasa is well-known for his knowledge in the worship of Linga,
and the number of flowers used for the veneration. The worship of Linga with one lakh jasmine flowers, Yuthika flowers,
flowers of mustard seeds, Mallika,
sesame flowers/Tilapushpa, Karaveera, Nirgundi, Karnnikara, Shirisha Kusuma, Bandhujeeva, etc. would
provide welfare and happiness to the worshiper, it would fulfill all the
desires of the worshiper. The Dharapuja on the Linga would bring all the
auspiciousness to the worshiper. The worship of Linga with the Dhara/water,
reciting Shatharudriya or Ekadasharudriya would cure the high fever like infectious
diseases. The Dharapuja can be conducted with the recitation of Rudrajapa,
Purushasuktha, Shadangarudri or Mahamrithyunjaya Manthra, Panchakshara and
Gayathri etc. The Dhara worship on the Linga would provide an abundance of
meritorious rewards to the worshiper, while this Dhara worshiper make sure to
offer various ingredients and sacred ashes to attain the grace of Lord, at the
end of the worship twelve Bhramanas should be fed and provide contributions to
them. The worship of Linga with milk and sugar would provide wisdom, equivalent
to Devaguru Bhrihaspathi. The Dharapuja on the Linga would bring prosperity in
the clan; it would remove ailments, miseries, agony, conflicts, arguments,
misfortune, disgrace, etc. The worship of Linga with the oil would remove
miseries, offering fragrant scents on the Linga would provide worldly pleasures
and happiness, adoration of Linga with the mustard oil would remove the
enemies, adoration of Linga with the honey would remove evil effects from
Yaksha, adoration of Linga with the sugarcane juices would provide bliss,
adoration of Linga with the waters of sacred Ganga would provide Moksha, at the
end of Dharapuja, the recitation of ten thousands of Maha Mrithyunjaya Manthra
should be performed and twelve Bhramanas should be fed to achieve piousness.
Oh! Munishwara, I have described all that about the veneration of Linga. I have
already narrated the methods of worship of supreme Lord Mahadeva, along with
Goddess Parvathi, and Karthikeya and the meritorious rewards, as per my
knowledge. The worship of Lord Shiva would bring the worshiper, all the worldly
pleasure, family and offspring, and grandchildren, finally attain the abode of
Lord Shiva, after leaving the mortal coil the Jeeva would achieve a divine form
with the brilliance of crores of Sun, and attain the association of
Rudrakanyas, and continue to remain in the supreme abode till the end of the Kalpa,
eventually attains Moksha.”