Shloka 22

ईशानकल्पवृत्तान्तः तथा लैङ्गपुराणस्य संक्षेप-सूची

Devanagari script

उद्वाहः शंकरस्याथ पुत्रोत्पादनमेव च मैथुनातिप्रसङ्गेन विनाशो जगतां भयम्

Transliteration

udvāhaḥ śaṃkarasyātha putrotpādanameva ca maithunātiprasaṅgena vināśo jagatāṃ bhayam

Translation

Dann suchten sie Śaṅkaras Vermählung und wahrlich auch die Zeugung eines Sohnes; denn wenn die geschlechtliche Vereinigung übermäßig wird, bringt sie die Auflösung der Welten — ein Schrecken für alle Wesen.

Word by Word

• उद्वाहः (udvāhaḥ): marriage

• शंकरस्य (śaṅkarasya): of Śaṅkara (Śiva)

• अथ (atha): then/thereupon

• पुत्रोत्पादनम् (putrotpādanam): the begetting of a son

• एव (eva): indeed/only

• च (ca): and

• मैथुन (maithuna): sexual union

• अति-प्रसङ्गेन (ati-prasaṅgena): by excessive involvement/overindulgence

• विनाशः (vināśaḥ): destruction/dissolution

• जगताम् (jagatām): of the worlds

• भयम् (bhayam): fear/terror.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Shankara)

FAQs

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

It frames creative power as sacred yet requiring niyama (restraint); Linga worship honors Śiva as Pati who governs sṛṣṭi while preventing pralayic imbalance caused by unregulated desire.

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

Śiva-tattva appears as the cosmic regulator: even when associated with union and progeny, he remains the transcendent Pati who contains and measures creative potency so the worlds are not overwhelmed.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline—indriya-nigraha (sense-control), especially over kāma as pasha—so creation proceeds under dharma rather than excess.