You who are worthy of men’s prayers, our leader, our God, rich in heroes—may we install you glowing and glistening! Shine forth at night and at morn! Your favor has kindled our hearths! By your favor we shall be great! §
Ṛig Veda 7.15.7-8. VE, 846§
Of lords the Lord Supreme, of kings the King, of Gods the God, Him let us worship—transcendent, Lord of all worlds and wholly worthy of worship.§
Kṛishṇa Yajur Veda, Śvetāśvatara Upanishad 6.7. VE, 156§
A man comes to Thee in fearful wonder and says: “Thou art God who never was born. Let thy face, Rudra, shine upon me, and let thy love be my eternal protection.”§
Kṛishṇa Yajur Veda, Śvetāśvatara Upanishad 4.21. UPM, 93§
For the purpose of protection of all, a Liṅga is variously caused to be built in villages by Gods, by seers and by ordinary men.§
Kāraṇa Āgama 10. MT, 66§
Cutting all the stones to be cut, carving all the stones to be carved, boring all the stones to be bored, such are the three aspects of the śilpi’s art. The architect and the sūtragrāhin build the temples and craft the images, but it is with the takshaka that the architect effects the opening of the eyes of these images, and similar rites. §
Suprabheda Āgama 21.28-29. SA, 180§
Having worshiped Nandi in the Southeast—two-eyed, two-armed, black in color, having the formidable three-pointed trident of Śiva, with a crest and twisted locks of hair—in the Southwest, he should especially worship Mahākāla, black in color, two-eyed, two-armed, with white garment, two-legged, having an awesome form, equipped with a noose and a tusk, and endowed with all ornaments. §
Kāraṇa Āgama 323-325. MT, 200§
He should repeat the Śiva mantra according to his ability, and (there should be) circumambulation, obeisance and surrender of the self.§
Kāraṇa Āgama 446. BO MT, 226§
I bow before that Sadāśivaliṅga which is worshiped by the multitude of Gods with genuine thoughts, full of faith and devotion, and whose splendor is like that of a million suns.§
Liṅgāshṭakam. SW, 8§
The Pati is the blessed Śivaliṅga. The paśu is the mighty bull standing in front. The pāśa is the altar. Thus, in the temple, the Lord stands for those who, searching, see. §
Tirumantiram 2411. TM §
When in Śiva’s temple worship ceases, harm befalls the ruler, scanty are the rains, theft and robbery abound in the land. Thus did my holy Nandinatha declare. §
Tirumantiram 518. TM §
The unholy town where no temple stands, the town where men do not wear the holy ash, the town which does not resound with sacred song, the town which is not resplendent with many shrines, the town where the white conch is not reverently blown, the town where festive canopies and white flags are not seen, the town where devotees do not gather flowers for the worship rite, that town is no town. It is a mere wilderness. §
Tirumurai 6.309.5. PS, 149§
He approached and entered the temple where the Lord who has the golden mountain for His bow dwells in delight. He circumambulated it, prostrated himself at the sacred courtyard, entered the presence of the three-eyed God, the bull-rider crowned with matted, red hair.§
Periyapuranam 5.21.252. PS, 49§
Gather flowers and carry water pure; bathe Him and lay the flowers at His radiant Feet; stand and pray and adore Him in unfailing piety. Forever prosperous you shall be. Subdue the senses, hasten towards Him; surrender in totality and worship the Lord daily, offering water and flowers. He will surely accept your heart’s offering.§
Tirumantiram 1840-1841. TM§
For the bounteous Lord, this heart is the sanctum holy, the fleshy body is temple vast, the mouth is the tower gate. To them that discern, jīva is Śivaliṅga; the deceptive senses are but lights that illume.§
Tirumantiram 1823. TM§