Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 62

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

Devanagari script

सर्गकर्ता त्वकाराख्यो ह्य् उकाराख्यस्तु मोहकः मकाराख्यस् तयोर् नित्यम् अनुग्रहकरो ऽभवत्

Transliteration

sargakartā tvakārākhyo hy ukārākhyastu mohakaḥ makārākhyas tayor nityam anugrahakaro 'bhavat

Translation

The creator of manifestation is said to be the one denoted by the syllable “A”; the one denoted by “U” is the deluder who casts beings into bewilderment. But the one denoted by “M” ever becomes the bestower of grace to them both—revealing the Pati (Lord) who frees the bound soul (paśu) from bondage (pāśa).

Word by Word

• सर्गकर्ता: creator of emanation/manifestation

• तु: indeed/but

• अकाराख्यः: named/denoted by the syllable ‘A’

• हि: surely

• उकाराख्यः: named/denoted by the syllable ‘U’

• तु: and/but

• मोहकः: deluder, one who causes bewilderment

• मकाराख्यः: named/denoted by the syllable ‘M’

• तयोः: of those two

• नित्यम्: always

• अनुग्रहकरः: bestower of grace, giver of divine favor

• अभवत्: became/was.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga worship as contemplation of the Pranava’s inner theology: creation and delusion operate in the cosmos, yet Shiva’s essential mark is anugraha—grace—by which the devotee moves from bondage to liberation.

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

Shiva-tattva is indicated as the ever-gracious principle (anugraha) that transcends mere cosmic functions; as Pati, Shiva grants clarity and release to the paśu entangled in pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pranava-japa and Linga-dhyana are implied: meditating on A-U-M as creation–bewilderment–grace aligns with Pashupata discipline, emphasizing surrender to Shiva’s anugraha as the liberating power.