Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

विनायकोत्पत्तिः / ताण्डव-प्रसङ्गः (दारुक-वधः, काली-उत्पत्तिः, क्षेत्रपालोत्पत्तिः)

Devanagari script

जाता यदा कालिमकालकण्ठी जाता तदानीं विपुला जयश्रीः देवेतराणामजयस्त्वसिद्ध्या तुष्टिर्भवान्याः परमेश्वरस्य

Transliteration

jātā yadā kālimakālakaṇṭhī jātā tadānīṃ vipulā jayaśrīḥ devetarāṇāmajayastvasiddhyā tuṣṭirbhavānyāḥ parameśvarasya

Translation

When Kālimā—dark-hued, the consort of Nīlakaṇṭha—manifested, at that very moment abundant glory of victory arose. The non-devas (the asuric hosts) met with defeat as their aims were thwarted; and Bhavānī was pleased—so too was Parameśvara, the Supreme Lord.

Word by Word

• जाता (jātā): was born/manifested

• यदा (yadā): when

• कालिम (kālimā): the Dark One, a form/epithet of the Goddess

• अकालकण्ठी (a-kālakaṇṭhī): she who belongs to/consorts with Kālakṇṭha (Nīlakaṇṭha, Śiva)

• जाता तदानीं (jātā tadānīm): then indeed upon her manifestation

• विपुला (vipulā): vast, abundant

• जयश्रीः (jayaśrīḥ): splendour of victory

• देवेतराणाम् (devetarāṇām): of the non-devas (asuras/anti-deva forces)

• अजयः (ajayaḥ): defeat

• तु (tu): indeed

• असिद्ध्या (asiddhyā): by non-attainment, by failure of accomplishment

• तुष्टिः (tuṣṭiḥ): satisfaction, pleasure

• भवान्याः (bhavānyāḥ): of Bhavānī (Pārvatī/Śakti)

• परमेश्वरस्य (parameśvarasya): of Parameśvara (Śiva), the Supreme Lord

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Bhavani
• Nilakantha
• Kalima
• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It frames victory and protection as arising from Shiva–Shakti’s manifested presence; in Linga worship, the Linga (Pati) is not approached as isolated—Bhavani’s śakti is integral to removing obstacles and securing siddhi for the devotee (pashu).

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

Shiva is indicated as Parameśvara, the supreme Pati whose will is fulfilled through Śakti; the defeat of asuric forces occurs by the collapse of their asiddhi (failed intention), showing Shiva-tattva as the sovereign power that dissolves pasha-bound arrogance.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is śakti-sahita upāsanā—worship of the Linga with Devi/Bhavani as inseparable; in Pāśupata orientation this implies seeking anugraha (grace) whereby pasha (bondage/obstruction) is neutralized and the pashu gains steadiness toward siddhi and liberation.