||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 34 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 20

Sukthoktha Vidhina  Snathva  Sandhyam Krithva Yathavidhi | Bhramayajjam Vidhayadhau Thathastharpanamachareth || Naithikam Sakalam Kamam Vidhyayanantharam Puman | Shivasmaranapoorvam  Hi Bhasma Rukdraksha Dharaka: || Vedokthavidhina Samyak Sampoornna Phalasidhdhaye | Poojayethparaya Bhakthya  Parththivam  Lingamuththamam||

Sutha Pauranika speaks “ Oh! Dhvija, I shall describe the method of veneration of Parththiva Shiva Linga for the people who follow the Vedic way of living.  The worship of Parththiva Shiva Linga sincerely following the Vedic way would provide Bhukthi as well as Mukthi to the worshiper.  The veneration of Parththiva Linga should begin with the performance of bath following the Suthra, performance of Sandhya/worship of the sun, Bhramayajjam offering water to deities,  Rishis and manes, the performance of daily rites and learning scriptures, contemplation upon supreme Lord Shiva, adore Bhasma/sacred ash and Rudraksha.  The worship of Shivalinga with the prescribed rites in Veda would provide successful results if it was carried out with intense devotion and faith.  The worship of Parththiva Shivalinga can be performed on the shores of ocean or river, or pond, or mountain or hills, or woods, or Shiva’s shrine, or any of the sanctified places. Oh! Dhvija, the Parththiva Shivalinga should be constructed with the sanctified sand, collected from a clean place and prescribed rites should be followed to worship. The Dhvijathis collects white-colored sand, a Kshatriya should collect red-colored sand, a Vaishya should collect yellow-colored sand, and a Shudra should collect black-colored sand, and the Linga made out of these sands by the people of respective Varnna, should install them in a sanctified place to conduct worship.  The worship of the Parththiva Shivalinga would provide all the earthly pleasures as well as liberation from repeated births. Oh! Dhivja, listen to me carefully, the creation of Linga out of the sand should begin with sprinkling water on the sand with the utterance of ‘Om Nama: Shivaya’ followed with the recital of Manthra to construct the Linga, purification process and installation, recitation of Manthra followed with gestures on the prescribed rule, application of various ingredients like milk, curd, ghee, sugar, and honey, further offering of upper clothe and various ornaments to the deity followed by sacred hymns, the offering of fragrances, Akshatha, flowers and bale leaves, incense, and earthen lamp, Naivedhya, water, fruits and various ingredients/Padhartha, unbroken yellow rice, finally the Dhakshina to the priests are offered abundantly.  Oh! Dhvija, all those above-said offerings should be made followed with specific chants praising the supreme Lord Maheshwara.  As a concluding part, offering Dheepa and Dhoop, circumambulation, and prostration before the deity, should be performed with the recitation of hymns and gestures/Panchamudra. Oh! Dhvija, I have explained the Vedic way of conducting the worship of Parththiva Shivalinga.  The sand should be collected with the recitation of the Manthra ‘Sadhyojatham’, and the water should be poured reciting the Manthra ‘Vamadevaya’, the Linga prepared by the utterance of ‘Aghoraya’, the deity is invoked with the Manthra ‘Thathpurushaya’.  The prepared Shivalinga should be installed on the sanctified place with the utterance of  ‘Ishana Sarvavidhyanam’ with the prescribed chants.  The worship of deity should be performed with the Shodashopachara, and the recitation of Panchakshara Manthra.”

Bhavaya Bhavanashaya  Mahadevaya Dheemahi | Ugra Ugranashaya Sharvaya Shashimauline||

Sutha Pauranika continues “ Oh! Dhvija, worship of supreme Lord Mahadeva who is the essence of Universe and its living beings, and the destroyer of the same, I shall take refuge at the lotus feet of Lord Mahadeva who is fierce, adorned in the crescent moon on the matted hair locks, he is the destroyer of brutality/violence in the Universe.  Whoever conducts the worship of Lord Shiva with intense devotion and faith, and sincerely follows the prescribed rites would attain an abundance of piousness.  Oh! Dhvija, I have explained the Vedic way of adoration of supreme Lord Mahadeva as Parththiva Shivalinga. I shall narrate the simple method of worship of Parththiva Shivalinga too. Oh! Munishreshta listen to me carefully, the supreme Lord Mahadeva has the sacred names like Hara who is the destroyer of sins and miseries of the worldly existence,  Maheshwara who is mighty Lord, he is Shoolapani who is wielded in powerful trident,  Shambhu who is compassionate and benevolent, Pinakadhrik who is wielded in Pinaka, Shiva who symbolizes auspiciousness, Pashupati who is the Lord of living beings.  The worshiper should recite the sacred names of Lord Shiva and sprinkle water on the collected sand and construct the Parththiva Linga and install it in a sanctified place, adoration of flowers and with the simple offerings, pouring water on the Linga, can be performed with the utterance of simple hymns.”

Kailasapeetasanamadhyastham Bhaktha: Sa Nandhadhibhirarchyamanam | Bhaktharththi Dhavanalam Aprameyam Dhyayeth UmamaLingitha Vishwabhooshanam || Dhyayen Nithyam  Mahesham Rajathagirinibham  Charuchandravathamsam  Rathnakalpojjvalangam Parashu Mrigavarabhithi Hastham Prasannam | Padmaseenam Samanthath Sthutham Amaraganairvyaghrakrithim Vasanam  Vishwadhyam Vishwabeejam Nikhilabhayaharam Panchavakthram Thrinethram||

Sutha Pauranika continues “ Oh! Dhvija, meditation upon the Supreme Lord reciting the chants, I shall prostrate before the supreme Lord Shiva who symbolizes forest fire that destroys all the miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence, he is unblemished,  seated on the pinnacle of the Mount Kailasha, surrounded by ardent devotees like Nandhi and Devaganas immerses in the worship of the supreme Lord Mahadeva, I shall repeatedly prostrate before that supreme Lord who has assumed the form of Linga remains in the embrace of Goddess Uma who adores the entire Universe. I shall contemplate upon supreme Lord  Mahesha who is seated on the top of Rajathagiri/silver mountain has a pleasing appearance, adorned in a crescent moon, he has the luster of a precious gem, adorned in various precious ornaments,  holding Parashu, antelope, and has a pleasing smile always, he is seated on the Padmasana posture,  surrounded by illustrious Rishis and Sages, and deities, who eulogizes the endless glories of Lord Mahadeva.  He is primordial/Vishwadhyam, he is the cause of the Universe and its living beings/prime seed/Vishwabeejam, he has five faces and each face has three eyes, he is unblemished remove all the fears and anxieties of worldly existence. In this way, the worshiper can conduct a simple method of veneration of Parththiva Shivalinga with the recitation of Panchakshara Manthra. An intellectual should recite as many as hymns and conduct worship, a Dhvija should recite Shatharudri and conduct veneration of Parththiva Linga, and offer flowers and yellow unbroken rice on the Linga with following prayers “Oh! Mrida, I shall surrender at your lotus feet, kindly shower your auspicious grace on us, Oh! Kripanidhi/ocean of mercy Oh! Bhoothanatha who is Lord of Bhoothaganas, kindly protect us. Oh! Bhagavan whatever Kriyas and Karma I have performed are surrender at your lotus feet, Oh! Shankara kindly showers your auspicious grace on us. Oh! Bhagavan, I am a sinner, you are the purifier of souls, Oh! Gaurisha, kindly do whatever I deserve in this life. Oh! Sadhashiva, even the Veda, Rishis, Sidhdhantha, and Puranas are incompetent to describe your splendor, how could I praise your glories? Oh! Maheshwara, Oh! Parameshwara, kindly protect us.”  Oh! Dhvija, after the conclusion of prayers, offers flowers and unbroken yellow rice, circumambulates the deity and prostrate before him, produces the soft sound of goat humbly, and offers salutations to the Lord. Oh! Munishardhoola, I have described the method of veneration of Parththiva Shivalinga, which provides Bhoga as well as Moksha, and it enhances the devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Mahadeva.”

Ithyadhyayam Suchiththena Ya; Padeth Shrunuyadhapi | Sarvapapa Vishudhdhathma Sarva Kamanavapnuyath || Ayur Arogyadham Chaiva  Yashasyam Swargameva Cha | Puthra Pauthradhi Sukhadhamakhyanmudhamuththamam ||

Whoever reads or listens to it would get relieved from all the sins, and all their desires get fulfilled. It would provide long life, good health, fame, heavenly pleasures, virtuous children and grandchildren, and all the pleasures on the Earth as well.