Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

श्वेतमुनिना कालस्य निग्रहः (मृत्युञ्जय-भक्ति-प्रसादः)

Devanagari script

ससर्जुर् अस्य मूर्ध्नि वै मुनेर्भवस्य खेचराः सुशोभनं सुशीतलं सुपुष्पवर्षमंबरात्

Transliteration

sasarjur asya mūrdhni vai munerbhavasya khecarāḥ suśobhanaṃ suśītalaṃ supuṣpavarṣamaṃbarāt

Translation

Then the sky-moving celestials poured down from the heavens a splendid, cool shower of excellent flowers upon the head of Bhava the muni—Śiva, the Pati—honoring Him as the supreme Lord beyond all bonds (pāśa).

Word by Word

• ससर्जुः: they released/poured forth

• अस्य: of him/upon him

• मूर्ध्नि: on the head

• वै: indeed

• मुनेः: of the sage

• भवस्य: of Bhava (Shiva)

• खेचराः: sky-goers/celestial beings

• सुशोभनम्: very splendid/beautiful

• सुशीतलम्: very cool/refreshing

• सुपुष्पवर्षम्: shower of excellent flowers

• अम्बरात्: from the sky/heaven

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhava
• Khecaras (celestial beings)

FAQs

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

It presents a paradigmatic act of Shiva-puja: offering flowers (pushpa) to Bhava. The celestial “flower-rain” signifies that honoring Shiva with pure offerings is an auspicious, dharmic act aligned with the Linga Purana’s puja ethos.

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

By calling Him “Bhava” and depicting universal beings honoring Him, the verse implies Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord worthy of worship—whose grace cools and pacifies the burning of bondage (pāśa) for the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pushpa-archana (flower offering) and devotional honoring of Shiva are highlighted; as a yogic takeaway, it supports Pashupata-oriented bhakti and surrender as preparatory discipline for receiving Shiva’s anugraha (liberating grace).