Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88

Adhyaya 70: आदिसर्गः—महत्-अहङ्कार-तन्मात्रा-भूतसृष्टिः, ब्रह्माण्डावरणम्, प्रजासर्गः, त्रिमूर्ति-शैवाधिष्ठानम्

Devanagari script

अप्रतीपेन ज्ञानेन ऐश्वर्येण समन्वितः धर्मेण चाप्रतीपेन वैराग्येण च ते ऽन्विताः

Transliteration

apratīpena jñānena aiśvaryeṇa samanvitaḥ dharmeṇa cāpratīpena vairāgyeṇa ca te 'nvitāḥ

Translation

Endowed with unobstructed knowledge and divine lordly power, they are likewise possessed of unobstructed dharma and of dispassion (vairāgya). Thus are they perfected in the qualities that lead the bound soul (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati).

Word by Word

• अप्रतीपेन (apratīpena): unobstructed, unopposed

• ज्ञानेन (jñānena): by knowledge, spiritual gnosis

• ऐश्वर्येण (aiśvaryeṇa): by lordship, divine power

• समन्वितः (samanvitaḥ): endowed, furnished with

• धर्मेण (dharmeṇa): by dharma, righteous order and conduct

• च (ca): and

• अप्रतीपेन (apratīpena): unobstructed, unsullied

• वैराग्येण (vairāgyeṇa): by dispassion, detachment

• च (ca): and

• ते (te): they

• अन्विताः (anvitāḥ): possessed of, characterized by

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames true Linga-bhakti as inner attainment: unobstructed jñāna, steady dharma, and vairāgya—qualities that purify the paśu and make worship fruitful, not merely external.

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

By pointing to aiśvarya (lordly sovereignty) alongside jñāna, it implies Shiva as Pati—supreme, self-luminous consciousness whose grace enables the soul to transcend pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes the yogic core of Pashupata orientation—cultivating jñāna and vairāgya with dharmic discipline—supporting Linga-puja as a path of inner renunciation and realization.