Chapter 327 - The greatness of establishing a Liṅga

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

[Full title: The greatness of establishing a ling a and worship with the accessories]

The Lord said:

1-5. The austerities are completed after having worshipped Satya and others, the presiding deities of austere observances. Ariṣṭa, the lord of the thread (of a rosary) is capable of nullifying misfortune. (A string) having golden and gem (beads) (confers) fortune. (A string) (containing beads made of) great conches is for causing death. (A rosary) (containing) conch-shells is for a charm (while) that one (having) pearl beads increases progeny. (A rosary having) crystal (beads) confers fortune. (A rosary having) rudrākṣa confers emancipation. A rudrākṣa of the size of a dhātrī fruit is excellent. The mental repetition (may be done) with the central bead or without the central bead in the string. The repetition should be done using the ring finger and the thumb. While doing so one should not cross the central bead. When the rosary has fallen down by mistake, one should repeat (the formula) two hundred times.

6-7a. A bell possesses (the sounds of) all the instruments. Hence sounding it confers wealth. The liṅga (the emblem denoting lord Śiva) and the abode (of the deity) should be cleansed with cow-dung, cow’s urine, earth from the ant-hill, ashes and water.

7b-10a. O Skanda! The formula ‘Obeisance to (lord) Śiva’ is capable of accomplishing all things. These five syllables are commended in the Vedas. The six syllables^[1] are commended in the world. Lord Śambhu (Śiva) is present at the end of ‘Oṃ’ like the seed of a (holy) fig tree as a seal. It is known that ‘Obeisance to Śiva’ is the designation of Īśāna and others in order. One would acquire the collection of formulae by repeating the six syllables. ‘Oṃ obeisance to Śiva’ is the excellent formula.

10b-12. (The votary) should worship the liṅga with this (formula) since (lord) Śiva dwells in the liṅga for the sake of conferring His favour on the people and since He is the conferer of virtues, desires, wealth and emancipation. A person who does not worship the ling a does not become a fit person to get virtues etc. One would get enjoyment and emancipation by worshipping the liṅga. Hence one should worship (Him) so long as he lives. One should never eat without worshipping Him. It is better to discard one’s life (than not to worship Him).

13. (One would become) Rudra by worshipping Rudra, Viṣṇu by worshipping Viṣṇu, Sūrya by worshipping Sūrya and the goddess etc. by worshipping the goddess.

14. One would acquire a crore times more benefits by establishing the liṅga than what one would acquire by doing sacrificial rites, penances and offering gifts, visiting sacred places and reading the Vedas.

15. One who worships the earthen liṅga during the three twilights with bilva, would redeem one hundred and eleven generations of his family and would attain heaven.

16. A person should build a temple according to his capacity. The small or big (temple) (built) by a poor or a rich person would have equal benefit.

17. On account of the transitory nature of one’s life one should set apart two parts (of his wealth) for the sake of virtuous deeds and one part of the wealth for maintaining his life.

18. A person who builds a temple would redeem twenty-one generations of his family and gain wealth. One would get manifold benefits (by building a temple) with earth, wood, brick and stone etc.

19. A person who builds a temple of God with eight bricks, would reach heaven. Even one who builds a temple with dust in sport would acquire wealth.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The five syllables with the syllable Oṃ.