Shloka 7

ईशानकल्पवृत्तान्तः तथा लैङ्गपुराणस्य संक्षेप-सूची

Devanagari script

अण्डोद्भवत्वं शर्वस्य रजोगुणसमाश्रयात् विष्णुत्वं कालरुद्रत्वं शयनं चाप्सु तस्य च

Transliteration

aṇḍodbhavatvaṃ śarvasya rajoguṇasamāśrayāt viṣṇutvaṃ kālarudratvaṃ śayanaṃ cāpsu tasya ca

Translation

By resorting to the rajo-guṇa, Śarva (Śiva) assumes the condition of being born from the cosmic egg; and in that same divine līlā he also takes on the state of Viṣṇu, the form of Kāla-Rudra, and even the posture of lying upon the waters.

Word by Word

• अण्डोद्भवत्वम्: emergence from the cosmic egg

• शर्वस्य: of Śarva (Śiva)

• रजोगुण-समाश्रयात्: by taking refuge in the rajo-guṇa (quality of activity)

• विष्णुत्वम्: the state/form of Viṣṇu (preserving function)

• कालरुद्रत्वम्: the state/form of Kāla-Rudra (time-as-destroyer)

• शयनम्: reclining, resting posture

• च: and

• अप्सु: in the waters

• तस्य: of him (Śiva)

• च: also

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the cosmological doctrine to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Rudra
• Kāla (Time)

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as the supreme Pati who can assume all cosmic functions; Linga-worship therefore addresses the source behind creation, preservation, and dissolution rather than a limited deity-form.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as transcendent yet capable of manifesting through guṇas: by rajas he projects roles such as cosmic emergence, Viṣṇu-function, and Kāla-Rudra—while remaining the sovereign Lord (Pati) over all states.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is contemplative Pāśupata orientation: meditate on the Linga as the one Pati who governs guṇas and time, loosening the pashu’s identification with changing roles and leading toward liberation from pāśa (bondage).