Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Adhyaya 59 — सूर्याद्यभिषेककथनम्

Surya and Related Abhisheka/ Cosmological Determinations

Devanagari script

उत्तिष्ठति पुनः सूर्यः पुनर्वै प्रविशत्य् अपः तस्मात्ताम्रा भवन्त्यापो दिवारात्रिप्रवेशनात्

Transliteration

uttiṣṭhati punaḥ sūryaḥ punarvai praviśaty apaḥ tasmāttāmrā bhavantyāpo divārātripraveśanāt

Translation

The Sun rises again, and again indeed enters into the waters; therefore the waters take on a coppery hue, for he enters them by day and by night. Thus the very rhythms of time reveal Pati, the Lord, as the inner governor of cosmic order.

Word by Word

• उत्तिष्ठति: rises

• पुनः: again

• सूर्यः: the Sun

• पुनर्वै: again indeed

• प्रविशति: enters

• अपः: the waters

• तस्मात्: therefore

• ताम्राः: coppery, reddish

• भवन्ति: become

• आपः: waters

• दिवा-रात्रि-प्रवेशनात्: from (his) entering during day and night

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It frames daily natural cycles—sunrise, sunset, and the changing color of waters—as signs of an underlying divine governance, supporting Linga worship as contemplation of Shiva (Pati) present within all cosmic processes.

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

Though Surya is named, the teaching aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta’s view that all functions of the cosmos operate by the inner Lord’s ordaining power—Shiva as the unseen regulator of time (kāla) and order (niyati), while beings (paśu) remain dependent.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It implies sandhyā-oriented discipline—sunrise and sunset remembrance—where the practitioner links external time-cycles to inner meditation on Pati, a supportive contemplative practice within Pashupata-oriented devotion.