Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

ग्रहाद्यधिपत्याभिषेकः

Cosmic Consecrations of Lords of Planets and Domains

Devanagari script

अभ्यषिञ्चत्सुधर्माणं तथा शङ्खपदं दिशाम् केतुमन्तं क्रमेणैव हेमरोमाणमेव च

Transliteration

abhyaṣiñcatsudharmāṇaṃ tathā śaṅkhapadaṃ diśām ketumantaṃ krameṇaiva hemaromāṇameva ca

Translation

He then duly anointed Sudharmā, and likewise Śaṅkhapada, as guardians of the quarters; in proper order He also consecrated Ketumān and Hemaromā. Thus Pati, the Lord, establishing cosmic governance, binds the worlds to dharma so that embodied souls (paśu) may follow their ordained paths toward liberation.

Word by Word

• abhyaṣiñcat: anointed/consecrated

• sudharmāṇam: (one named) Sudharmā

• tathā: likewise/also

• śaṅkhapadam: (one named) Śaṅkhapada

• diśām: of the directions/quarters

• ketumantam: (one named) Ketumān

• krameṇa eva: in due order/step by step

• hemaromāṇam: (one named) Hemaromā

• eva ca: and indeed/also

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sudharmā
• Śaṅkhapada
• Ketumān
• Hemaromā
• Dikpālas

FAQs

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

It shows Shiva’s role as Pati who establishes dharmic order in the cosmos; Linga worship aligns the devotee with this divine order, reducing pāśa (bondage) and steadying the paśu (soul) toward liberation.

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

Shiva-tattva appears as the supreme governor who consecrates and empowers cosmic functions—an expression of Lordship (aiśvarya) that sustains creation while remaining the transcendent Pati beyond it.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The act of abhiṣeka (ritual consecration/anointing) is implied; as a Shaiva practice it symbolizes invoking Shiva’s śakti to establish stability, protection, and dharma in one’s inner and outer directions.