||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.”