Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

सोमवर्णनम्

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

Devanagari script

तस्माच्छनैश्चरश्चोर्ध्वं तस्मात्सप्तर्षिमण्डलम् ऋषीणां चैव सप्तानां ध्रुवस्योर्ध्वं व्यवस्थितिः

Transliteration

tasmācchanaiścaraścordhvaṃ tasmātsaptarṣimaṇḍalam ṛṣīṇāṃ caiva saptānāṃ dhruvasyordhvaṃ vyavasthitiḥ

Translation

Above that lies the sphere of Śanaiścara (Saturn); above that is the constellation-circle of the Seven Ṛṣis. And above those seven seers stands Dhruva, firmly established—fixed as the cosmic pivot in the ordered ascent of the worlds under the Lord (Pati).

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: above that/from that

• शनैश्चरः: Śanaiścara (Saturn)

• च: and

• ऊर्ध्वम्: upward/above

• तस्मात्: above that

• सप्तर्षिमण्डलम्: the circle/region of the Seven Ṛṣis (Ursa Major)

• ऋषीणाम्: of the seers

• च एव: and indeed

• सप्तानाम्: of the seven

• ध्रुवस्य: of Dhruva (the Pole Star)

• ऊर्ध्वम्: above

• व्यवस्थितिः: established position/steady station

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Dhruva
• Saptarishis
• Shanaischar (Saturn)

FAQs

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

It frames the universe as a divinely ordered hierarchy; for the Linga-upāsaka, this order points to Pati (Śiva) as the stabilizing ground of all realms, making worship a return to the cosmic center.

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

By emphasizing fixed stations and an ascending order, it implies Śiva-tattva as the unshaken regulator (niyantṛ) behind time, planets, and stellar regions—transcendent yet governing their placement.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse chiefly supports yogic steadiness: like Dhruva’s fixity, the Pāśupata practitioner cultivates unwavering dhāraṇā on Śiva/Liṅga, rising beyond changing influences (graha-gati) toward inner stability.