Shloka 18

विष्णुरुवाच—एकाक्षर-प्रणव-लिङ्ग-व्याप्ति-शिवस्तोत्रम्

Devanagari script

कङ्काय कङ्करूपाय कङ्कणीकृतपन्नग सनकाय नमस्तुभ्यं सनातन सनन्दन

Transliteration

kaṅkāya kaṅkarūpāya kaṅkaṇīkṛtapannaga sanakāya namastubhyaṃ sanātana sanandana

Translation

السجود لك—أنتَ كَنْكا، وأنتَ الذي يتخذ هيئة كَنْكا، وأنتَ الذي يجعل الأفاعي حُلِيًّا وزينة. يا الأزليّ القديم، يا سَناندَنَ—لك السجود، يا من يقيم كسَنَكا، الحكيم الطاهر أبدًا.

Word by Word

• कङ्काय: to Kanka (a specific epithet/form)

• कङ्करूपाय: to one whose form is Kanka

• कङ्कणीकृतपन्नग: to one who has made serpents into bracelets/ornaments

• सनकाय: to Sanaka (the eternally pure sage-aspect)

• नमः: salutation

• तुभ्यम्: to You

• सनातन: the Eternal/Ancient

• सनन्दन: Sanandana (ever-joyful sage

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a received Shiva-stuti within the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sanaka
• Sanandana
• Nagas (serpents)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It functions as a nāma-stuti used to invoke Pati (Shiva) before linga-pūjā—remembering Him as the one who transcends forms yet freely assumes sacred forms, making the worshipper’s mind steady and receptive.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is presented as Sanātana (eternal) and simultaneously manifest in specific epithets/forms; this aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta’s view of Pati as the supreme Lord who is beyond limitation yet graciously accessible through names, forms, and symbols like the Linga.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Japa and dhyāna on Shiva’s names (nāma-smaraṇa) is implied—an inner limb supporting pūjā and Pāśupata-oriented contemplation where the pashu (soul) turns from pāśa (bondage) toward Pati through focused remembrance.