Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

सूर्यरथनिर्णयः (चन्द्रस्य पक्षवृद्धिक्षयविधानम्)

Devanagari script

ततः पञ्चदशे भागे किंचिच्छिष्टे कलात्मके अपराह्णे पितृगणा जघन्यं पर्युपासते

Transliteration

tataḥ pañcadaśe bhāge kiṃcicchiṣṭe kalātmake aparāhṇe pitṛgaṇā jaghanyaṃ paryupāsate

Translation

ثمّ حين يبقى شيءٌ يسير من الجزء الخامس عشر من النهار—المكوَّن من تقسيمات الزمن الدقيقة (كلا)—في الأَبَرَاهْنَة (آخر العصر)، تقف جماعات الأسلاف (بيتْرِ) عند الأدنى والباقي، مترقّبةً القرابين المقدَّمة في ذلك الوقت.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• pañcadaśe bhāge: in the fifteenth portion (division)

• kiṃcit-śiṣṭe: when a little remains

• kalā-ātmake: consisting of kalās (minute time-units)

• aparāhṇe: in the late afternoon

• pitṛ-gaṇāḥ: the groups/hosts of ancestors

• jaghanyam: the lowest, last, residual portion

• paryupāsate: they sit near/attend upon, wait upon

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs (Ancestors)

FAQs

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

It fixes the ritual timing (aparāhṇa) when Pitṛ-related rites are effective, helping a Shaiva householder harmonize Śiva-pūjā with dharma—honoring Pitṛs while maintaining purity and order in daily worship.

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

Indirectly, it presents Śiva-tattva as the Lord of kāla (time): when rites are aligned with the proper divisions of time, the pashu (individual soul) reduces pasha (bondage) through disciplined observance under Pati’s cosmic order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual discipline in Pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha timing is highlighted—performing offerings in aparāhṇa, when the Pitṛs are said to be near and receptive to the rite’s subtle efficacy.