Parthiv Shivlinga - पार्थिव शिवलिंग

         Parthiv Shivlinga (पार्थिव शिवलिंग) means a Shivlinga made of clay. There is a great significance of Parthiv Shivlinga worship. There is a description of Lord Ram in Ramayana worshipping the Parthiv Shivlinga twice. First when he was crossing river Ganga - (Kewat Prasang) and second before the conquest of Lanka at Setubandh Rameshwaram.

             The worship of this Shivlinga gives happiness, peace of mind, good health and victory over obstacles. The "Abhishek" of Parthiv Shivlinga and its "Visarjan" keeps away some "Dosha" in "Kundali". Generally, one, eleven, 108 or 1008 Parthiv Shivlingas are made by mixing fine clay with water. The best clay used is from the bed of river Ganga. This clay is called Mrittika-मृत्तिका. It is different from the Ganga sand. Some people apply it on their body like soap when taking a bath in the Ganga. 

          If not available, fine clay is separated from the soil using a fine sieve. Panch-Gavya (पंचगव्य) is mixed in it to form a loaf and from it, Parthiv Shivlinga is made by rolling between palms. Panch-Gavya (पंचगव्य) is five items collected from a cow. These are milk, curd, ghee, dung, and urine. 

Parthiv Shivlinga
(Image source Google)

          Some people make Parthiv Shivlinga by mixing clay, water, "Bhasma", honey, and sandalwood paste. Another way is by mixing water, jaggery, butter, cow dung, honey, sandalwood and "Bhasma" to the fine clay. The height of these Shivlingas are not kept more than six inches.
           According to the objective, "Shiva-Abhishek" can be performed with different things on the Parthiv Shivlinga. For example, Gangajal, milk, curd, honey, ghee, cane juice, etc. Yagyopaveet (Janeu), Sandalwood paste (Chandan), different flowers and Bilvapatra should be offered to Mahadeva. Flowers like - Dhruva, Aak, Dhatura, Kaner, Aparajita, Genda, Tagar, Kamal, Gulab, are offered. Shamipatra, Akshat, Bhang and Durva are also liked by Mahadeva. Also "Naivedyam" of fruits and sweets should be offered. After the worship is complete, "Prasadam" should be taken with great devotion and the Parthiv Shivlinga is released (Visarjit) in water bodies like ponds and river.

          In Shivmahapurana there is the significance of Parthiv Shivlinga worship:-

अपमृत्युहरम् कालमृत्योश्चापि विनाशनम् |

सद्यःकलत्र पुत्रादि धन धान्य प्रदं द्विजाः ||

(The worship of Parthiv Shivlinga keeps away the untimely death. It quickly gives the desired wife, sons, health and wealth.)
      Read: Sawan me Parthiv Shivling ka Abhishek,
Abhishek of Parthiv Shivling in the month of Sawan.

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