Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 44

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

पुरा मात्रा तु कथितं तथ्यमेव न संशयः पूर्वजन्मनि चास्माभिर् अपूजित इति प्रभुः

Transliteration

purā mātrā tu kathitaṃ tathyameva na saṃśayaḥ pūrvajanmani cāsmābhir apūjita iti prabhuḥ

Translation

“What my mother told me long ago is indeed true—there is no doubt. In a former birth we did not worship the Lord (Pati); therefore this consequence has arisen,” said the master.

Word by Word

• purā: formerly/long ago

• mātrā: by (my) mother

• tu: indeed/but

• kathitam: told/declared

• tathyam eva: certainly true

• na saṃśayaḥ: no doubt

• pūrva-janmani: in a previous birth

• ca: and

• asmābhiḥ: by us

• apūjitaḥ: not worshipped/not honoured

• iti: thus

• prabhuḥ: the Lord/the master (speaker addressing Śiva as Prabhu or speaking as a prabhu).

Speaker

An unnamed character within Sūta’s narration (internal dialogue), reflecting on past-life neglect of Śiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva-pūjā (including Liṅga-arcana) as a decisive karmic axis: neglect (apūjā) in a prior life becomes a cause for present suffering, while worship restores the pashu’s relationship to Pati.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati/Prabhu—the sovereign Lord whose worship aligns the soul (pashu) with grace; turning away from Him strengthens bondage (pāśa) through karmic consequence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is the necessity of regular Śiva-pūjā (Liṅga worship) as a remedial discipline; it functions like a Pāśupata-oriented correction that weakens pāśa by devotion and right observance.