Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9

Vighneshvara-Prashna and Deva-Krita Shiva-Stava

Adhyaya 104

Devanagari script

कायान्तस्थामृताधारमण्डलावस्थिताय ते कृतादिभेदकालाय कालवेगाय ते नमः

Transliteration

kāyāntasthāmṛtādhāramaṇḍalāvasthitāya te kṛtādibhedakālāya kālavegāya te namaḥ

Translation

Salutations to You who abide within the body’s inner sphere as the support of amṛta, the nectar of immortality; salutations to You who are Time, distinguishing the ages beginning with Kṛta; and salutations to You who are the very impetuous force, the swift surge of Time.

Word by Word

• kāyānta-stha: abiding within the body

• amṛta-ādhāra: support/base of the nectar of immortality

• maṇḍala-avasthita: established in a (mystic) circle/sphere

• te: to You

• kṛta-ādi-bheda-kāla: Time that distinguishes the ages starting with Kṛta (Satya) Yuga

• kāla-vega: the momentum/irresistible speed of Time

• namaḥ: salutation

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a hymn within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as both the inner yogic support of amṛta (immortality) and the cosmic regulator of Time—so Linga worship becomes meditation on the Pati who transcends yet governs all change.

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

Shiva is praised as immanent within the body (antaryāmin-like presence) and also as Kāla itself—revealing Shiva-tattva as both the indwelling ground of liberation and the transcendent power that orders the yugas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to inner-maṇḍala contemplation: meditating on Shiva within the body as the amṛta-support (a Pāśupata-oriented yogic focus) while offering namas (salutations) that dissolve pasha through devotion and insight.