||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 28 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 16

Bindunadhathmakam Sarvam Jagath Sthavarajangamam | Bindhu: Shakthi: Shivo Nadha: Shivashakthyathmakam Jagath || Thasmath Janma Nivrithyarththam Shivalingam Prapoojayeth | Matha Devi Bindhuroopa  Nadharoopa: Shiva: Pitha || Poojithabhyam Pithrubhyam  Thu Paramanandha Yeva Hi | Paramanandha Labharththam Shivalingam Prapoojayeth || Sa Devi  Jagatham Matha Sa Shivo  Jagatha: Pitha | Pithro: Shushrushake Nithyam Kripadhikyam Hi Vardhdhathe ||

Rishis speak “Oh! Sutha, kindly describe the methods of venerations of Parththivashivaling/Shivalinga made of clay, and the abundance of piousness of worship of Parththiva Shivalinga.”

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Sages, listen to me carefully, you have raised a brilliant question, that could fulfill all the desires of the worshiper, and it removes all the miseries and sorrows, I shall narrate the methods of veneration of Parththiva Shivalinga.  Oh! Dhvija, It would remove unexpected and untimely deaths, it provides good family, children, and grandchildren, an abundance of wealth and grains.  The worshiper would be benefited from an abundance of Vasthram, grains, pleasures.  The worship of Parththiva Shivalinga can be performed by women and men, the Parththiva Shivalinga can be created with the usage of sand/clay from the seashore, riverbank, well, pond, etc.  The clay idol can be worshipped in the shore of sea, or river banks or in a Mandap, and veneration can be performed.  The worship of Lord Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, Parvathi, Shiva with Shodasha Upachara, flowers, Dhravya, etc. would provide an abundance of piousness.  The Mahapuja is performed for the self-manifested Linga.  The performance of ablation to the Linga would purify the soul, offering incense and Dhravya would bring an abundance of merit, offering earthen lamp before Linga would provide wisdom, offering betel leaves would provide Bhoga, Namaskar and Japam would fulfill all the desires of the worshiper.  The worship of Linga would provide Bhoga and Moksha as well.  The worship of deities would provide the abode of the respective deities.  Oh! Dhvija, listen to me carefully,  worship of Lord Ganesha on Friday on the fourth day of the bright fortnights of the month  Shravana and Bhadrapada would fulfill all the desires of the worshiper. The performance of fire sacrifice on a regular basis would remove all the sins and miseries of the worshiper.  The worship of deities and Shivalinga following the prescribed rites in the Purana would bring an abundance of meritorious rewards to the worshiper.  The worship of deities and serving twelve Bhramanas with sumptuous meals would make the deities highly pleased.  The worship of Goddess Ambika on Karkataka Somavara Navami Mrighasheersha, Ashwin Shuklapakha Navami, Chathurdhashi, Krishnapaksha, would fulfill all the desires of the worshiper.  The worship of LordShiva on Ardra, Mahardra, Magha Krishnachathurdhashi are auspicious days, would provide an abundance of meritorious rewards like long life, removes accidental and unexpected deaths.  The worship of all the deities in the month Karthik with the Shodasha Upachara and performance of charities, Japa, Puja, Homa, Vedic chants, etc. would bring discipline in the life of worshiper, removes sufferings and miseries.  The worship of Lord Shiva on the Kritika Monday followed with austerities, prescribed rites would bring Bhoga and Moksha.  The worship of Lord Karthikeya and Lord Vishnu on the Kritika Tuesday would attain excellence in speech and intelligence as well.  The worship of Lord Ganesha on Krithika Friday and performing charity and the worship of Dhikpalakas on Saturday would bring happiness in the family and the childless couple would be benefitted with children.  The worship of the Supreme Lord Rudra who is Thrayambaka would remove all the sins, worship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Bhrama would provide intelligence, Dhanvanthari, and Ashwini Kumaras to remove all the ailments.  The worship of deities following austerities, Dharma, daily rites, spiritual as well as religious rites, recital of Veda, the performance of charities and noble deeds, would bring an abundance of meritorious rewards, ultimately attain the abode of deities.  The constant recitation of Panchakshara Manthra would wash away sins and provide wisdom.  The Mahanaivedhya is called offering betel leaves along with cloves, camphor, gourd, betel leaves, and nutmeg at the end of veneration, and the distribution of Mahanaivedhya would provide great prowess to the worshiper.  The distribution of Mahanaivedhyam of Lord Shiva would provide liberation from repeated births.  The Bindhu and Nadha represent Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva respectively, the entire Universe and its living beings represent Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, Therefore, its called Shivashakthyathmaka Jagath.  The Linga and the Peedam represent Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi as well,  hence the worship of divine couple/Universal father and Mother who is inseparable and supreme bliss would provide liberation from repeated births.   Oh! Munipungava, The worship of Matha Parvathi and Pitha Shiva on a regular basis would please them. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi represent Purusha and Prakrithi respectively, mere remembering or witnessing the Linga would bring an abundance of piousness.  The Jeeva initiates from the Adhipurusha, it takes birth with the influence of Maya, undergoes constant transformation and ruin.  Bhagavan is Lord Bhaga who represents all the richness, and prosperity, Linga is the representation of Prakrithi and Purusha, Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva.  The worship of Linga on Sunday and perform ablutions with the mixture of Panchagavyakam, recitation of Omkara/Dhvanilinga, offering Naivedhyam, worship of six types of Lingas such as Pranavalinga/Dhvanilinga, Nadhalingam/Swayambhu, Bindulingam/Yanthram, Akaralinga, Ukaralingam/Charalingam, and Guruvigraham would be freed from repeated births.  The worship of Lord Shiva with sincere devotion and faith would bring Janmamukthi, wearing Rudraksha and wearing Bhasma/Thripundra and recitation of Vedic hymns would bring one fourth of the merit."