Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
भुवनकोशस्वभाववर्णनम् — सप्तद्वीप-पर्वत-लोकविन्यासः तथा यक्ष-उमा-प्रकाशः
दग्धुं तृणं वापि समक्षमस्य यक्षस्य वह्निर्न शशाक विप्राः वायुस्तृणं चालयितुं तथान्ये स्वान्स्वान्प्रभावान् सकलामरेन्द्राः
dagdhuṃ tṛṇaṃ vāpi samakṣamasya yakṣasya vahnirna śaśāka viprāḥ vāyustṛṇaṃ cālayituṃ tathānye svānsvānprabhāvān sakalāmarendrāḥ
O brahmins, in the very presence of that Yakṣa, even Agni could not burn a mere blade of grass; likewise Vāyu could not so much as move it. Thus all the lords of the gods found their own powers rendered ineffective—showing that without Pati (Śiva), the paśus’ borrowed capacities cannot function.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
FAQs
It teaches that all ritual efficacy and divine power ultimately rest in Pati (Śiva). Linga worship centers on surrender to that supreme source, rather than pride in one’s own capacities.
Śiva-tattva is shown as transcendent and independent: even cosmic forces like fire and wind fail before His veiled presence (Yakṣa), revealing that the devas’ powers are contingent upon Him.
The takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline: abandon ahaṅkāra (ego) and recognize Pati as the sole empowerer; practice devotion and inner surrender so shakti becomes aligned with Śiva’s will.