Shloka 37

अलिङ्ग-लिङ्ग-निरूपणं तथा प्राकृत-सृष्टिवर्णनम्

Devanagari script

आदिकर्ता च भूतानां संहर्ता परिपालकः तस्मान्महेश्वरो देवो ब्रह्मणो ऽधिपतिः शिवः

Transliteration

ādikartā ca bhūtānāṃ saṃhartā paripālakaḥ tasmānmaheśvaro devo brahmaṇo 'dhipatiḥ śivaḥ

Translation

He is the primal maker of all beings, their preserver, and their dissolver. Therefore Maheshvara—Shiva, the Lord—stands as sovereign even over Brahmā.

Word by Word

• आदिकर्ता: primal creator

• च: and

• भूतानाम्: of beings/elements

• संहर्ता: dissolver/withdrawer

• परिपालकः: protector/preserver

• तस्मात्: therefore

• महेश्वरः: Maheshvara (the Great Lord)

• देवः: the God

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā

• अधिपतिः: overlord/supreme ruler

• शिवः: Shiva (auspicious Lord)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Maheshvara
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It establishes Shiva as the supreme Pati who governs creation, preservation, and dissolution—so Linga-worship is directed to the ultimate source and controller of all cosmic functions, not merely a sectarian deity.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as the transcendent Lord who performs (or authorizes) srishti, sthiti, and samhāra, and who is the adhīpati even of Brahmā—indicating absolute sovereignty and ontological supremacy.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights the tattva (principle) behind practice: in Pashupata-oriented sadhana, the yogin anchors devotion and meditation on Shiva as Pati, the inner ruler of all processes, which supports detachment from pasha (bondage) and steadiness in japa/dhyana.