Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 130

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

सर्वाशयः सर्वचारी प्राणेशः प्राणिनां पतिः देवदेवः सुखोत्सिक्तः सदसत्सर्वरत्नवित्

Transliteration

sarvāśayaḥ sarvacārī prāṇeśaḥ prāṇināṃ patiḥ devadevaḥ sukhotsiktaḥ sadasatsarvaratnavit

Translation

He is the indwelling refuge of all, moving everywhere; the Lord of the life-breath, the Pati of all living beings; the God of gods, ever overflowing with bliss; the knower of both being and non-being, and the knower of every precious essence.

Word by Word

• सर्व-आशयः: the inner abode/support of all, the one in whom all rest

• सर्व-चारी: the all-pervading mover, present in all courses/paths

• प्राण-ईशः: Lord of prāṇa (life-breath)

• प्राणिनाम् पतिः: Pati (Lord) of embodied beings (paśus)

• देव-देवः: God of the gods

• सुख-उत्सिक्तः: overflowing/exalted with bliss (ānanda)

• सत्-असत्: being and non-being (manifest/unmanifest)

• सर्व-रत्न-वित्: knower of all jewels/precious principles (tattva-sāra)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s names to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the inner support of all beings and the supreme Pati; thus Linga worship is not mere symbol-veneration but devotion to the all-pervading Lord who indwells every pashu (soul).

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

Shiva is portrayed as sarvavyāpin (all-pervading), prāṇeśvara (master of life-force), devadeva (supreme divinity), and the knower of both sat and asat—indicating transcendence of manifest/unmanifest while sustaining them.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It supports Pashupata-oriented contemplation: meditating on Shiva as Praneshvara within the breath (prāṇa) and as Sarvacari, cultivating inner worship (antar-yāga) alongside external Linga-puja.