Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1

ग्रहाद्यधिपत्याभिषेकः

Cosmic Consecrations of Lords of Planets and Domains

Devanagari script

इति श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे पूर्वभागे ज्योतिश्चक्रे ग्रहचारकथनं नाम सप्तपञ्चाशत्तमो ऽध्यायः ऋषय ऊचुः अभ्यषिञ्चत्कथं ब्रह्मा चाधिपत्ये प्रजापतिः देवदैत्यमुखान् सर्वान् सर्वात्मा वद सांप्रतम्

Transliteration

iti śrīliṅgamahāpurāṇe pūrvabhāge jyotiścakre grahacārakathanaṃ nāma saptapañcāśattamo 'dhyāyaḥ ṛṣaya ūcuḥ abhyaṣiñcatkathaṃ brahmā cādhipatye prajāpatiḥ devadaityamukhān sarvān sarvātmā vada sāṃpratam

Translation

Thus, in the Śrī Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa, in the Pūrva-bhāga, within the section on the wheel of luminaries, begins the chapter called “The Account of the Motions (and governing influence) of the Planets.” The sages said: “How did Brahmā, the Prajāpati, consecrate all beings—beginning with the Devas and the Daityas—into their respective lordships? O all-pervading Self, tell us now.”

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• śrī-liṅga-mahāpurāṇe: in the revered Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa

• pūrva-bhāge: in the former section (Pūrva-bhāga)

• jyotiḥ-cakre: in the ‘wheel of lights’ (astral order/astrological cosmos)

• graha-cāra-kathanam: narration of the planets’ movements (and their regulatory course)

• nāma: named

• adhyāyaḥ: chapter

• ṛṣayaḥ ūcuḥ: the sages said

• abhyaṣiñcat: consecrated/installed by an anointing (abhiṣeka) into office

• katham: how?

• brahmā: Brahmā

• ca: and

• ādhipatye: in overlordship/authority

• prajāpatiḥ: the Lord of progeny (Prajāpati)

• deva-daitya-mukhān: beginning with Devas and Daityas

• sarvān: all

• sarva-ātmā: O all-souled/all-pervading one (address to the narrator)

• vada: speak/tell

• sāṃpratam: now, at present

Speaker

Sages (Ṛṣis) addressing Sūta (the narrator, ‘Sarvātmā’ as an honorific)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Prajapati
• Devas
• Daityas

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmos (jyotiścakra and graha-cāra) as an ordered system of delegated powers—supporting the Shaiva view that all authorities function under the supreme Pati (Śiva), whom Linga worship approaches as the transcendent regulator behind cosmic law.

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

Though Śiva is not named directly, the address “Sarvātmā” points to the all-pervading ground of being; in Shaiva Siddhanta this aligns with Pati-tattva—Śiva as the inner ruler enabling Brahmā and other functionaries to operate within creation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key ritual idea is abhiṣeka/installation into adhikāra (office), implying consecration and right order; in a Shaiva lens this parallels Linga-abhiṣeka and disciplined alignment of the pashu (soul) with dharma to loosen pasha (bondage).