Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 174

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

वाहनत्वं तवेशान नित्यमीहे प्रसीद मे त्वयि भक्तिं च देवेश देवदेव नमो ऽस्तु ते

Transliteration

vāhanatvaṃ taveśāna nityamīhe prasīda me tvayi bhaktiṃ ca deveśa devadeva namo 'stu te

Translation

O Īśāna, I ever long to be Your vāhana and servant—be gracious to me. O Lord of the gods, God of gods, may unwavering bhakti to You arise in me; obeisance to You.

Word by Word

• vāhanatvam: the state of being a vehicle/mount (humble service as a carrier)

• tava: of You

• īśāna: O Lord, Shiva as the sovereign

• nityam: always, continually

• īhe: I desire/strive for

• prasīda: be pleased, show grace

• me: to me/in me

• tvayi: in You/toward You

• bhaktim: devotion

• ca: and

• deveśa: Lord of the devas

• devadeva: God above the gods

• namaḥ astu te: may there be salutations to You/obeisance to You.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a devotional supplication within the Linga Purana’s Shaiva context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Ishana/Mahadeva)

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-puja as surrender to Pati (Shiva) through humble service and prayer for anugraha (grace), asking not merely for boons but for steadfast bhakti directed solely to Mahadeva.

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

Shiva is addressed as Īśāna, Deveśa, and Devadeva—signifying Pati, the supreme Lord beyond the devas, whose grace alone awakens devotion in the pashu (individual soul) bound by pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practice emphasized is bhakti-yukta upāsanā—devotional worship with an inner vow of service (dāsya/bhāva), aligning with Pāśupata orientation where grace and single-minded devotion become the means toward release from bondage.