Shloka 16

एकार्णव-सृष्टिक्रमः, ब्रह्म-विष्णु-परस्परप्रवेशः, शिवस्य आगमनं च

Devanagari script

क्व वा भूयश् च गन्तव्यं कश् च वा ते प्रतिश्रयः को भवान् विश्वमूर्तिर्वै कर्तव्यं किं च ते मया

Transliteration

kva vā bhūyaś ca gantavyaṃ kaś ca vā te pratiśrayaḥ ko bhavān viśvamūrtirvai kartavyaṃ kiṃ ca te mayā

Translation

“Where indeed should I go from here again, and what refuge is there for you? Who are you truly—O One whose form is the whole universe? And what is to be done by me for you?”

Word by Word

• kva: where

• vā: or/indeed

• bhūyaḥ: again/further

• ca: and

• gantavyam: to be gone/to be proceeded to

• kaḥ: who/what

• ca: and

• vā: or

• te: your/for you

• pratiśrayaḥ: shelter, refuge, resting-place

• ko: who

• bhavān: you (honorific)

• viśva-mūrtiḥ: whose form is the universe, cosmic-formed

• vai: indeed/verily

• kartavyam: what ought to be done, duty

• kim: what

• ca: and

• te: for you

• mayā: by me

Speaker

Brahma (inquiring in humility before the manifest Cosmic Lord, understood as Shiva/Viśvamūrti in the Linga-Purana context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

The verse frames the core devotional posture behind Linga-upāsanā: the seeker recognizes the insufficiency of worldly directions (“where to go?”) and turns to Shiva as the true pratiśraya (refuge), which is the inner meaning of approaching the Linga as the स्थाणु (immovable) support of all.

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

By addressing the Lord as Viśvamūrti, it affirms Shiva as Pati—transcendent yet immanent as the universe itself. The question “Who are you truly?” signals that Shiva-tattva surpasses conceptual grasp, known through grace and direct realization rather than mere intellect.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) as a Pāśupata-oriented discipline: the paśu seeks refuge in Pati to loosen pāśa (bondage). Ritually, it supports approaching the Linga with humility, inquiry, and service (kartavya-bhāva) as preparatory to worship and inner yoga.