यथा सर्वेषु मंत्रेषु प्रणवो हि महान्स्मृतः । तथेदं पार्थिवं श्रेष्ठमाराध्यं पूज्यमेव हि ११ ।
Just as the Praṇava is considered the greatest of all mantras, so also the earthen phallic image of Śiva that is worthy to be worshipped, is the most excellent of all.
यथा सर्वेषु वर्णेषु ब्राह्मणःश्रेष्ठ उच्यते । तथा सर्वेषु लिंगेषु पार्थिवं श्रेष्ठमुच्यते १२ ।
Just as the brahmin is spoken of as the most excellent of all Varṇas so also is the earthen phallic image of Śiva the most excellent of all other phallic images.
यथा पुरीषु सर्वासु काशीश्रेष्ठतमा स्मृता । तथा सर्वेषु लिंगेषु पार्थिवं श्रेष्ठमुच्यते १३ ।
Just as Kāśī is considered the most excellent of all holy cities, so also the earthly phallic image of Śiva is spoken of as the most excellent of all other phallic images.
यथा व्रतेषु सर्वेषु शिवरात्रिव्रतं परम् । तथा सर्वेषु लिंगेषु पार्थिवं श्रेष्थमुच्यते १४ ।
Just as the rite of Śivarātri is the greatest of all sacred rites so also the earthly phallic image of Śiva is the most excellent of all other phallic images.
यथा देवीषु सर्वासु शैवीशक्तिः परास्मृता । तथा सर्वेषु लिंगेषु पार्थिवं श्रेष्ठमुच्यते १५ ।
Just as Śiva’s energy is considered the greatest of all goddesses so also the earthen phallic emblem of Śiva is spoken of as the most excellent of all.