Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 118

देवादिसृष्टिकथनम् (वसिष्ठशोकः, पराशरजन्म, एकलिङ्गपूजा, रुद्रदर्शनम्)

Devanagari script

देवतापरमार्थं च यथावद्वेत्स्यते भवान् प्रवृत्तौ वा निवृत्तौ वा कर्मणस् ते ऽमला मतिः

Transliteration

devatāparamārthaṃ ca yathāvadvetsyate bhavān pravṛttau vā nivṛttau vā karmaṇas te 'malā matiḥ

Translation

You will rightly understand the highest truth concerning the Deity; and whether you engage in pravṛtti (worldly action) or in nivṛtti (withdrawal), your discernment regarding karma will be stainless—fit to lead paśu beyond pāśa toward the Lord, Pati.

Word by Word

• देवता (devatā): the Deity, the divine principle

• परमार्थम् (paramārtham): the highest truth, ultimate purport

• च (ca): and

• यथावत् (yathāvat): correctly, as it truly is

• वेत्स्यते (vetsyate): you will know/understand

• भवान् (bhavān): you (honored one)

• प्रवृत्तौ (pravṛttau): in engagement with action/worldly duties

• वा (vā): or

• निवृत्तौ (nivṛttau): in withdrawal/renunciation

• वा (vā): or

• कर्मणः (karmaṇaḥ): regarding action/karma (and its principles)

• ते (te): your

• अमला (amalā): stainless, pure

• मतिः (matiḥ): understanding, intellect, discernment

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching context within the Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-oriented devotion as leading to correct knowledge of the Deity’s highest purport, producing amala mati—pure discernment—so that both ritual action and renunciant withdrawal can become means to move the paśu toward Pati.

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

By pointing to “devatā-paramārtha,” it implies Shiva-tattva as the supreme purport behind deity-worship—known rightly through purified understanding that dissolves pāśa (bondage) and reveals Pati as the liberating Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes inner purification of buddhi (amala mati) guiding karma in both pravṛtti and nivṛtti—consistent with Pāśupata-informed discipline where action, worship, and renunciation are aligned to liberation rather than bondage.