Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

देवयज्ञं च मानुष्यं भूतयज्ञं तथैव च पितृयज्ञं च पूतात्मा यज्ञकर्मपरायणः

Transliteration

devayajñaṃ ca mānuṣyaṃ bhūtayajñaṃ tathaiva ca pitṛyajñaṃ ca pūtātmā yajñakarmaparāyaṇaḥ

Translation

Pure in heart and steadfast in sacrificial duty, he performs the Deva-yajña, the human rite of hospitality, the Bhūta-yajña for beings, and the Pitṛ-yajña as well—thus sustaining dharma and ultimately leading the bound paśu toward the Lord Pati, Śiva.

Word by Word

• देवयज्ञम्: offering/rite directed to the Devas

• च: and

• मानुष्यं: the human rite (hospitality/service to people/guests)

• भूतयज्ञम्: offering/rite toward beings/creatures

• तथा एव च: and likewise

• पितृयज्ञम्: ancestral offering/rite to the Pitṛs

• च: and

• पूतात्मा: purified-souled, cleansed in mind/heart

• यज्ञकर्म-परायणः: devoted to sacrificial acts, intent on yajña-duties

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Bhutas
• Pitrs

FAQs

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

It frames daily dharmic yajñas—toward Devas, guests, beings, and ancestors—as purifying disciplines that stabilize the devotee’s karma and make him fit for Śiva-oriented worship, culminating in devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the supreme Pati who receives the fruit of purified action: when the paśu performs yajña with a cleansed heart, bonds (pāśa) loosen and the soul becomes oriented toward the Lord beyond ritual—Śiva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights karma-yoga through the yajña-duties (especially the pancha-yajña stream: deva, mānuṣya, bhūta, pitṛ), treating them as a purification (śuddhi) foundation supportive of Śaiva sādhanā and Pāśupata-aligned discipline.