Shloka 16

Mahādeva’s Boon: Unwavering Bhakti, Tri-functional Cosmos, and the Supratiṣṭhā of Liṅga-Arcā

Devanagari script

लयनाल्लिङ्गमित्युक्तं तत्रैव निखिलं सुराः यस्तु लैङ्गं पठेन्नित्यम् आख्यानं लिङ्गसन्निधौ

Transliteration

layanālliṅgamityuktaṃ tatraiva nikhilaṃ surāḥ yastu laiṅgaṃ paṭhennityam ākhyānaṃ liṅgasannidhau

Translation

Because it is the place of dissolution (laya), it is called the Liṅga; there indeed all the gods abide. Whoever daily recites this sacred narrative concerning the Liṅga in the very presence of the Liṅga—becomes fit for Śiva’s grace.

Word by Word

• लयनात् (layanāt): from dissolution, from absorption

• लिङ्गम् (liṅgam): the Liṅga, the mark/symbol of the Supreme (Pati)

• इति (iti): thus

• उक्तम् (uktam): is said/declared

• तत्र (tatra): there, in that (Liṅga) locus

• एव (eva): indeed

• निखिलम् (nikhilam): entire, all

• सुराः (surāḥ): the gods

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• तु (tu): but

• लैङ्गम् (laiṅgam): pertaining to the Liṅga, Liṅga-scripture/narrative

• पठेत् (paṭhet): should read/recite

• नित्यम् (nityam): daily, continually

• आख्यानम् (ākhyānam): sacred account, narrative

• लिङ्ग-सन्निधौ (liṅga-sannidhau): in the proximity/presence of the Liṅga

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It teaches that the Liṅga is the very locus of laya (cosmic dissolution/absorption) and therefore supremely sacred; daily recitation of Liṅga-related scripture in the Liṅga’s presence is presented as a direct, merit-bearing act of Liṅga-pūjā.

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

Śiva-tattva is indicated as the ground into which all returns (laya) and as the divine center where all devas are gathered—pointing to Śiva as Pati, the transcendent-immanent support of all beings and powers.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A daily discipline (nitya) of scriptural recitation (pāṭha) performed in liṅga-sannidhi—an upāsanā that aligns the paśu (soul) toward laya of pasha (bondage) through devotion and remembrance of Pati.