Istalinga Puja Vidhana / Linga Puja Method

“ I worship the Linga

So that sins of body, speech and thought,

knowingly or unknowingly committed by me,

will be removed;

So that my physical, causal and subtle bodies

will be purified ;

So that blessings of the Guru,

Janagama and the Linga

aill be upon me;

So that I will find Truth, Goodness, Beauty

and Bliss everlasting.. “

Linga :
Linga is the visible symbol of the Supreme Lord. To a Veerashaiva Lingayat the Linga is the real body of Parashiva and Parashakti combined, a mass of highest luster, eternal bliss, highest knowledge , a source of the universe and the invisible Chaitanya existing in all beings.Veerashaiva Lingayats believe that a person will never be polluted as long as the Linga is worn on the body, because Linga is the fire which burns all impurities.

Lingapuja :

Lingapuja is the worship of God the infinite in the finite form of Istalinga.It is an expression of our reverence and love towards God.It is a process by which we invite the presence of God in our mind and in our daily life.It is getting in touch with the God within each one of us, to help us become better persons.As part of Shivayoga it is aimed at Aikya or the final union of Jeevatma ( individual soul ) with Paramatma ( Universal soul )

In Practice, Puja is the adoration of Linga with different kinds of offerings, treating Isthalinga as you would treat your most beloved and revered friend and guest. You do all the nice, pleasant things for the Linga, like offering fragrant sandalwood paste, beautiful flowers,incense, auspicious light, mantras and songs in His praise. These offerings are called Upacharas.The prescribed number of Upacharas are in groups of eight, sixteen, thirtytwo or forty eight ( to be performed as time and place permit ) Commonly used Upacharas are eight( Astavida Lingarchana) or sixteen ( Shodashopachara ). However one offering more or one less is not critical.Puja can be simple or as elaborate and time consuming as you would want it to be.It is important that you do the Lingapuja and offer your prayers to God at least once a day.When all the Puja items are not available use as many as you can find. Atleast bathe the Linga with water, apply Vibhuthi, concentrate your thoughts on God in the form of Linga, say Om Namah Shivaya and do Namaskara. If Nothing else you can think of God with devotion, say Om Namaha Shivaya and bow to Shiva at any place any time.

Lingapuja is to be performed daily , preferably in the morning , after bathing at home in a Puja room and when not in home in a clean, quite palce. By doing the Lingapuja in the morning you will be starting the day in a calm and pleasant state of mind. The Astavaranas, namely the Guru ( spiritual master ) Linga ( emblem of God ), Jangama (traveling spiritual guide),Vibhuti (sacred ashes ), Rudrakshi ( a berry sacred to Shiva ) , Mantra ( sacred syllables),Padodaka ( Conserated Water ) and Prasada ( Blessing in the form of flowers or food ) are considered as eight aides to the spiritual development of a Lingayat.

Here again we do not spot doing puja if one or more of the Astavaranas are missing. For instance if Rudrakshi is not available , we should person Puja without it, instead of not doing Puja at all. Also remember that Linga represents both Guru and Jangama for everyday Puja.Most important is our devotion and prayers said in sincerity.We must concentrate completely on God and surrender ourself to His care.

Method of LingaPuja.

1. Jalashuddi :

Rub tip of right middle finger on top of Vibhuti,. Write Om ( Kannada / Sanskrit )with the vibhuti-coated middle finger tip, in the fresh water to be used for Puja. This sanctifies the water. Sprinkle a few drops on your head and on Puja utensils.

2. Vibhuti Or Bhasma

Wearing Vibhuti denotes purity of mind and submission to God.

Coat the inside of the three middle fingers of your right hand with Vibhuti by rubbing on top of the Vibuthi block.

3. Bhasmadharana

With Vibuthi-coated three middle fingers of your right hand apply Vibuthi on your forehead from left to right. Using the middle finger tip apply a dot of Vibuthi between he two eyebrows – the center of Knowledge.

4. Sarvanga Vibhuti

Also apply Vibuthi to both sides of the wrists, arms and upon the heart.

5. Rudrakshi

Wear either 108,32 or at least one Rudrakshi, on a string around your neck.

6. Abishekha

Pour sanctified water in a stream over the Linga held in center of your left palm. You may hold down the Linga with the middle finger so that the Linga wont fall.

7. Vastra

Wipe Linga and your hands with Vastra ( towel reserved for Puja only )

8. Shatkona and Om

With the edge of Vibuthi draw a six-sided star ( a triangle pointing upwards, overlayed with a triangle pointing down) on your left palm. Write Om in the center ( kannada/Sanskrit )

9. Panchakona and Om

Alternately draw a five sided star and Om ( kannada/Sanskrit ) on your left palm with Vibuthi.

10. Asana

Place Linga upon the star on your left palm.Make sure that the Jalahari is pointing to your right side ( Jalahari is indicated either by an Om, or by a small nick in the side of the Linga )

11. Vibhuti for Linga

Using thumb , middle finger and ring finger apply three time Vibuthi around Linga in a circular motion. ( Alternately Vibuthi may be applied to the Linga with three middle fingers the same way that you apply Vibuthi on your forehead ).

12. Gandha

Dip Right fingue in the Gandha ( sandal wood paste ). Apply a dot of Gandha in the center, to the face of Linga.

13. Akshata

Apply two to five grains of Akshata ( raw unbroken rice / jowar / sajje ) over Gandha dot.

14. Patri and Pushpa

Using thumb, middle and ring fingers put flowers and Bilva leaves on top of Linga.

15. Dhoopa

Wake lighted incense stick before the Linga.

16. Ghante /Ghanta

Sound the bell using a rattling motion.

17. Arati

Gently wave Arati lamps in a clockwise up and down motion before the Linga.

18. Karpura Deepa

Light Karpura ( camphor ) piece in metal camphor holder and wake before Linga.

19. Dristi Yoga

Bring the Linga on your palm to your eye level.Focus eye and thoughts upon Linga.

20. Mantra

While focusing on the Linga softly say “ Om Namaha Shivaya “ Mantra twelve times and meditate (In the beginning say the mantra only once . Over a period of time you may gradually increase the number of times that you will repeat the mantra ) – Om Namaha Shivaya.

21. Japavidhi – The illustrated diagram shows the pattern.Start from 1 count clock wise with the tip of your thumb until you reach 9.Continue counting No 10 and 11 with pointer finger.Resume counting with thumb. End on bottom of middle finger. With each count say “ Om Namaha Shivaya “ once.To count 26 times go around once more in the same pattern, continue for two more counts, ending on bottom part of the little finger.

22. Japamala

“ Om Namaha Shivaya “ Mantra may be uttered 51 times, 108 times, or 1000 times with the help of Japamala ( counting beads or rosary ), preferably made of Rudrakshi.Start with the bead next to the shikamani or top bead.( Shikamani is the bead tied so that it will protrude ).Every time you repeat the Mantra move one bead towards you until you reach the Shikhamani.Stop on the Shikhamani.

23. Naivedya

In a small plate arrange a few raisins.Wave your palm over the raisins and towards the Linga, indicating offering of food ( After completion of Puja you may eat the raisins as Prasada )

24. Achamana

After naivedya offer water by pouring some water from the jar into the Majjanasali ( bowl)

25. Namaskara

Bow to the Linga by touching your forehead to the palm area next to the Linga.

26. Nirmalya

Using thumb and pointer finger remove flowers and leaves off the Linga and drop them into the Majjanasali.( Later empty the Majjanasali at the base of a living plant )

27. Apara Snana

Wash Linga Once More. Dry with vastra.

28. Chidbasma

Again apply Vibhuti to Linga with thumb, middle finger and ring finger ( or with three middle fingers)

29. Padodaka or Teertha

Pour some water on the Linga to consecrate the water and collect it under the Linga on your palm.

30. Teertha Sweekara

Holding Linga with right hand, sip Teertha ( water consecrated by Linga )

31. Hudugada Pavuda

Dry the Linga and place it on Hudugada Pavuda ( new cloth approximately 2” x 2 “ in size reserved for the linga ).Fold the four sides of the Pavuda towards the top center to cover the Linga.Place Hudugada Pavuda and Linga together in the lower half of the Gandagadigi/ Karadige.

32. Gandagadigi/ Karadige.

Slide top of the Gandagadigi over the bottom half and secure them together by forming a knot with the Shivadhara ( thread holding the Gandagadigi) over the side columns.

33. Lingayat

Wear the Gandagadgi around your neck so that the Linga will be next to your heart.

34. Final Prayers

At the end of the Puja say “ Jaya Namaha Parvathi Hara Hara Mahadeva “ ( Glory to Parvathi and Shiva )


* Source – Vimala Channabasappa