Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

सोमवर्णनम्

Graha–Ratha–Aśva Varṇana, Dhruva-Nibaddha Gati, Maṇḍala-Pramāṇa, Graha-Arcana

Devanagari script

भार्गवात्पादहीनस्तु विज्ञेयो वै बृहस्पतिः पादहीनौ वक्रसौरी तथायामप्रमाणतः

Transliteration

bhārgavātpādahīnastu vijñeyo vai bṛhaspatiḥ pādahīnau vakrasaurī tathāyāmapramāṇataḥ

Translation

Compared to Bhārgava (Śukra), Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) is to be understood as deficient by one pāda in measure; likewise Saurī (Śani/Saturn) is of crooked course (vakra) and deficient by two pādas—so it is stated according to proportional measure (yāma-pramāṇa).

Word by Word

• bhārgavāt: than Bhārgava (Śukra/Venus)

• pāda-hīnaḥ: deficient by one pāda (a unit/quarter)

• tu: indeed

• vijñeyaḥ: should be known/understood

• vai: certainly

• bṛhaspatiḥ: Bṛhaspati (Jupiter)

• pāda-hīnau: deficient by two pādas

• vakra: crooked/oblique (retrograde/irregular)

• saurī: Saurī (Śani/Saturn)

• tathā: likewise

• yāma-pramāṇataḥ: according to the measure/proportion called yāma (a time/measure standard)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Bṛhaspati
• Bhārgava (Śukra)
• Śani (Saurī)

FAQs

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

It situates Shiva’s Linga-teaching tradition within a disciplined cosmic order: even planetary motions and measures are described as regulated, supporting the Shaiva view that the universe functions under Pati (Shiva) as the supreme governor of ṛta.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing fixed proportional measures behind grahas, it points to Shiva-tattva as the transcendent regulator—Pati—who upholds order while remaining beyond the measured (pramāṇa) world.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No direct puja-vidhi is taught in this line; the takeaway is contemplative—using cosmic regularities (graha-measures) for dharmic timing and disciplined living that supports Shaiva sadhana and Pashupata-oriented self-regulation.