Shloka 30

Adhyaya 17: लिङ्गोद्भव—ब्रह्मविष्ण्वहङ्कार-शमनं, ओंकार-प्रादुर्भावः, मन्त्र-तत्त्वं च

Devanagari script

सृष्टा बुद्धिर्मया तस्याम् अहङ्कारस्त्रिधा ततः तन्मात्रापञ्चकं तस्मान् मनः षष्ठेन्द्रियाणि च

Transliteration

sṛṣṭā buddhirmayā tasyām ahaṅkārastridhā tataḥ tanmātrāpañcakaṃ tasmān manaḥ ṣaṣṭhendriyāṇi ca

Translation

From that primordial principle I brought forth Buddhi (intellect). Within Buddhi, thereafter, Ahaṅkāra (the ego-principle) arose in threefold form. From that threefold Ahaṅkāra came the five tanmātras (subtle elements), and from it also the mind, together with the six sense-powers.

Word by Word

• सृष्टा: created/emanated

• बुद्धिः: intellect (buddhi-tattva)

• मया: by me (the Lord as Pati, the causal source)

• तस्याम्: in that (in buddhi / in that principle)

• अहङ्कारः: ego-principle (ahaṅkāra-tattva)

• त्रिधा: threefold (sāttvika/taijasa/tāmasa)

• ततः: then/thereafter

• तन्मात्रापञ्चकम्: the five subtle elements (sound, touch, form, taste, smell)

• तस्मात्: from that

• मनः: mind (manas)

• षष्ठेन्द्रियाणि: the six indriyas/sense-powers (mind counted as sixth / or the set including manas)

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the creation sequence as taught in the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga worship as worship of Pati (Shiva), the causal Lord from whom intellect, ego, mind, and senses arise—reminding the devotee that the Linga signifies the transcendent source beyond these instruments.

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

Shiva is implied as the sovereign cause who projects the inner apparatus (buddhi, ahaṅkāra, manas) and the subtle bases of experience (tanmātras), while remaining distinct from the pasha (bondage) that binds the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It supports Pashupata-style inner discipline: observe and restrain ego, mind, and sense-powers as evolutes of prakṛti, turning awareness toward Shiva (Pati) through japa, dhyāna, and Linga-upāsanā.