Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

Aghora-Mantra Japa: Graded Expiations, Pañcagavya Purification, and Homa for Mahāpātaka-Nivṛtti

Devanagari script

नियुतं मानसं जप्त्वा मुच्यते नात्र संशयः गुरुतल्परतो वापि मातृघ्नो वा नराधमः

Transliteration

niyutaṃ mānasaṃ japtvā mucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ gurutalparato vāpi mātṛghno vā narādhamaḥ

Translation

Having performed a niyuta of mental japa, one is liberated—of this there is no doubt. Even a man sunk in the gravest bonds of sin—one who violates the guru’s bed, or even a matricide, that lowest of men—can be released from pāśa through such inner recitation centered on Śiva.

Word by Word

• नियुतम्: a niyuta (a great fixed number, traditionally ten lakhs)

• मानसम्: mental, inward

• जप्त्वा: having repeated (japa) / having recited

• मुच्यते: is freed, is released (from bondage)

• न: not

• अत्र: here (in this teaching)

• संशयः: doubt

• गुरुतल्परतः: engaged in violating the guru’s bed (grave transgression)

• वा अपि: or even

• मातृघ्नः: slayer of one’s mother

• वा: or

• नराधमः: the lowest of men, most fallen person

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the puranic teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya; presenting the doctrine of manasa-japa as a Shaiva means of release)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It elevates inner worship—mānasa-japa—as a direct Shaiva sādhana: even without external ritual, remembrance of Pati (Śiva) burns pāśa and can lead the paśu (bound soul) toward mokṣa.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati, the supreme liberator whose grace-operating through His name and contemplation—can cut even the most hardened karmic bonds, indicating His transcendence over sin and purity-impurity dualities.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mānasa-japa (mental repetition), aligned with Pāśupata-oriented inner discipline: concentrated recitation that purifies saṃskāras and loosens pāśa through sustained remembrance.