Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 44

अध्याय 66: इक्ष्वाकुवंश-ऐलवंशप्रवाहः (त्रिशङ्कु-राम-ययात्यादि-प्रकरणम्)

Devanagari script

सर्वे पाशुपते ज्ञानम् अधीत्य परमेश्वरम् समभ्यर्च्य यथाज्ञानम् इष्ट्वा यज्ञैर्यथाविधि

Transliteration

sarve pāśupate jñānam adhītya parameśvaram samabhyarcya yathājñānam iṣṭvā yajñairyathāvidhi

Translation

Having all studied the Pāśupata wisdom, they worshipped Parameśvara (Śiva) in accordance with their understanding; and, following the prescribed rule, they duly performed sacrifices, offering them as acts oriented to Pati—the Lord who frees the paśu (souls) from the bonds of pāśa.

Word by Word

• सर्वे: all

• पाशुपते: of/pertaining to Pāśupata (Shiva’s doctrine)

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge, sacred wisdom

• अधीत्य: having studied/learned

• परमेश्वरम्: Parameśvara, the Supreme Lord (Shiva)

• समभ्यर्च्य: having duly worshipped, having honored with complete devotion

• यथाज्ञानम्: according to (one’s) knowledge/competence

• इष्ट्वा: having sacrificed, having performed worship through offerings

• यज्ञैः: by sacrifices/ritual offerings

• यथाविधि: according to rule, as enjoined by scripture.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Parameshvara)

FAQs

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

It links Shiva worship to Pāśupata-jñāna: ritual (yajña/arcana) becomes effective when performed with correct Shaiva understanding and scriptural procedure, oriented to Parameśvara as Pati.

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

Shiva is named Parameśvara—the Supreme Lord—implying the Pati principle: the transcendent master who receives worship and is capable of releasing the paśu (individual soul) from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Study of Pāśupata doctrine followed by disciplined worship (samabhyarcana) and yajña performed yathāvidhi—ritual correctness integrated with Shaiva insight, a hallmark of Pāśupata-oriented practice.