Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 102

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

नित्यो ह्यनीशः शुद्धात्मा शुद्धो मानो गतिर्हविः प्रासादस्तु बलो दर्पो दर्पणो हव्य इन्द्रजित्

Transliteration

nityo hyanīśaḥ śuddhātmā śuddho māno gatirhaviḥ prāsādastu balo darpo darpaṇo havya indrajit

Translation

He is eternal and ever unconditioned—the Pure Self and purity itself. He is the measure of all, the supreme refuge, and the sacred oblation (havis). He is the lofty temple, strength, and even the power called pride; He is the mirror wherein all is reflected, the One worthy of offerings, and the Conqueror of Indra-like powers.

Word by Word

• नित्यः: eternal

• हि: indeed

• अनीशः: unruled/independent (not subject to any other lord)

• शुद्धात्मा: the Pure Self

• शुद्धः: pure/undefiled

• मानः: measure, standard, honor

• गतिः: refuge, goal, final resort

• हविः: oblation offered in yajña

• प्रासादः: temple, palace, lofty abode

• तु: and/indeed

• बलः: strength, power

• दर्पः: pride, haughtiness (also the power of self-assertion)

• दर्पणः: mirror, reflector

• हव्यः: worthy of being offered to (fit recipient of havis)

• इन्द्रजित्: conqueror of Indra (subduer of the lordly powers).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Sahasranama to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga-Lord as both transcendence (śuddhātmā, anīśa) and immanence in worship (haviḥ, havya, prāsāda), teaching that offerings and temple-forms are valid supports for realizing the formless Pati.

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

Shiva is presented as nitya (eternal) and śuddha (untainted), the independent Pati who is the gati (final refuge) of the bound pashu, and the darpaṇa (inner reflector) by which all experience is known without staining Him.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it emphasizes yajña-language (haviḥ/havya) pointing to offering the self and actions to Shiva; yogically, “darpaṇa” suggests Pashupata-style inner purification where the mind becomes a clear mirror reflecting Shiva-consciousness.