Shiva

 

Essence Of
Linga Purana

 

25    Shiva Linga Pratishta Vidhi and Mahatmya

Maha Muni Suta enlightened the congregation of Munis at Naimishaaranya about the Shiva Linga Pratishta Vidhaana as follows: In order to fulfil the aspirations of Dharma-Artha-Kaama-Moksha Siddhi, Linga Pratishtha be performed as had been done by Vishnu, Brahma, Indra downwards.

Krutyeva Lingam Vidhaana Bhuvi Lingeshu yatnatah,

Lingamekatamam shailam Brahma Vishnu Shivaatmakam/

Hemaratnamayam vaapi Raajatam Taamrajam tu vaa,

Savedikam Susutram chasamyagvistruta mastakam/

Vishodhya sthaapayedbhaktya Savedikamanuttamam,

Linga Devi Uma Devi Lingam Saakshaanmaheswarah /

Tayoh sapujanaa Deva Devascha Pujitou,

Pratishthayaa cha Devesho Devyaa saardham prtishthitah/

Muley Brahmaa vasati Bhagavan Madhya bhaagey cha

Vishnuh Sarveshaanah Pashupati rajo Rudramurthirvarenyah,

Tasmaalingam Gurutatataram Pujatsthaapayedhaa

yasmaad pujyo Ganapatirasau Deva Mukhyaih samastaih/

Gandhaih snugdhupa deepaih snapanahuta balistotrra

mantropahaaraih nityam  yebhyarchayaanti tridasha vastunam Linga murtey Mahesham/

Tasmaat Bhaktopchaarena Staapayet Parameshwaram,

Pujayeccha visheshena Lingam Sarvaartha siddhayai/

( Normally, Shivatmika Lingaas are installed in stonealthough these are also set in gold, silver, copper etc and the installation of the Linga has to be executed along with Vedi or the Platform as also the Sutra. The Vedi of the Shiva Linga is Uma Devi herself and the Linga is Maheswara himself; thus the Linga ought to be installed along with the Vedi. The Shiva Linga’s bottom is signified as Brahma and the middle part is signified as Vishnu and the top portion is Maheswara himself. This is why the high significance of the Rudra Swarupa Pashupati. By installing the Linga thus, regular pujaas should be performed most sincerely along with Gandha, Dhupa, Deepa, Snaana, Havana, Bali, Stotra, Mantra and Upahaara. Nitya Puja is a must and this would ensure freedom from ‘Punarjanma’ or rebirth, Shiva Loka Prapti and worship-worthiness of Deva-Gandharva-Siddha and Shiva ganaas.) After covering the Linga with ‘Kusha’ and ‘Vastra’, the Linga Pratishtha has to be consummated with perfection. ‘Abhisheka’  by sacred waters pre- deposited in‘ Kalashaas’ / Vessels by reciting Rudra Mantras has to be performed, followed by Chandana / Bhasma Lepana- Dhupa-Deepa- Naivedya and other ‘Upachaaraas’ are to be offered for five days, or three days or at least one day and  night along with Vedaadhyayanaas, as also Nritya-Vaadana- Taala-Veena and Stutis should be rendered with enthusiasm and devotion.On the Vedi, the Karta has to arrange ‘Nava Kundaas’or nine Kundas or Five Kundaas or at least one, turn the head to the East and perform ‘nyaasa’, recite Shiva Gayatri viz. Tatpurushaaya vidmahey Maha Devaaya dhimahi tanno Rudrah prachodayaat/ Or Pancha Vaktraayaaya Vidmahey Sahasraakshaaya Mahadevaaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayaat  or atleast by Pranavanaada of AUM and continue the process of Pratishtha. Brahma Jijnaana Mantrena Brahma bhaagam prabhostathaa,Vishnu Gayatriya bhaagam Vaishnavam twattha vinyaset/ Sutrey tatwatrayopetey pranavena pravinyaset, Sarvam Namah Shivaayeti Namo Hamsah Shivaaya cha/ ( The Brahma Jijnaasa Mantra should be recited to sanctify the Brahma Bhaaga of the Shiva Linga while Vishnu Gayatri viz, Om Namo Narayanaaya Vidmahi Vaasudevaaya dhimahi, Tanno Vishnuh prachodayaat/ should be recited to sanctify the Vishnu Bhaga of the Shiva Linga; the demarcating Sutras or the Holy Threads should be arranged by reciting the Pranava Mantra; Om Namo Hamsa Shivaaya cha is recited (or Rudraadhyaaya is) while nyasa is performed to Shiva/ On all the four sides, kalashaas be arranged. In the middle Kumbha (Pot) Shive be installed; in the Southern direction Devi be installed; in between the Shiva and Devi kumbhas the idol of Skanda be installed; in the Skandha Kumbha Brahma be installed too and in the Shiva kumbha Hari be installed. From the Shiva Kumbha, nyasa be performed to ‘Brahmangaas’ comprising Shiva, Maheshwara, Rudra, Vishnu and Brahma.Gold, silver and Ratnas be deposited in all the Kumbhas each of which should be decorated by new Vastras. By reciting Gayatri Mantra, abhishekas be performed to Shiva Linga from the Sacred water of the Shiva Kumbhas. Dakshinaas be given generously;  danaas of clothes, food grain fields, houses, cows, jewellery and cash. Havans, Balidaanaas, and Abhishekas be observed for nine or seven or three days or at least for one full day be performed in the ‘Utsava’ or the Festival. This Sacred Task of Linga Pratishtha would have lasting benefits to the Kartas, and all the personnel involved with Aayuraarogya Ishwarya Kirti in ‘Iham’ or the ongoing life and Shivaloka prapti in ‘’Param’.



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