Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

उपमन्युना कृष्णाय पाशुपतज्ञान-प्रदानम् तथा दानविधि-फलश्रुतिः

Devanagari script

तदाप्रभृति तं कृष्णं मुनयः संशितव्रताः दिव्याः पाशुपताः सर्वे तस्थुः संवृत्य सर्वदा

Transliteration

tadāprabhṛti taṃ kṛṣṇaṃ munayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ divyāḥ pāśupatāḥ sarve tasthuḥ saṃvṛtya sarvadā

Translation

From that time onward, all those divine Pāśupata sages—firm in their austere vows—remained constantly gathered around that Dark One, standing ever in guarded attendance.

Word by Word

• tadāprabhṛti: from that time onward

• tam: that (him)

• kṛṣṇam: the dark-hued one

• munayaḥ: sages

• saṁśitavratāḥ: those of sharpened/firm vows (strict in observances)

• divyāḥ: divine, radiant

• pāśupatāḥ: followers of Paśupati / Pāśupata adepts

• sarve: all

• tasthuḥ: stood, remained

• saṁvṛtya: enclosing, surrounding, assembling closely

• sarvadā: always, at all times

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (as Paśupati, implied)
• Pashupata sages

FAQs

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

It highlights the Pāśupata ideal of continuous upāsanā—steadfast proximity, discipline, and protective attendance to the Lord—mirroring the constancy expected in linga-sevā and daily Śiva-pūjā.

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

Shiva is implied as Paśupati, the Pati (Lord) around whom purified beings gather; the sages’ unwavering stance suggests His role as the stable, central Reality who draws liberated or disciplined paśus beyond pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pāśupata discipline—strict vows (saṁśitavrata), constant presence, and devoted service—reflecting a yogic mode of sustained attention (dhyāna) and regulated conduct rather than a single isolated rite.