Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 50

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

Devanagari script

सम्पूज्य पूज्यं सह देवसंघैर् विनायकं नायकमीश्वराणाम् गणेश्वरैरेव नगेन्द्रधन्वा पुरत्रयं दग्धुमसौ जगाम

Transliteration

sampūjya pūjyaṃ saha devasaṃghair vināyakaṃ nāyakamīśvarāṇām gaṇeśvaraireva nagendradhanvā puratrayaṃ dagdhumasau jagāma

Translation

Having duly worshipped the Worshipful One—Vināyaka, leader of the lords—together with the hosts of devas, the Mountain‑bowed Lord Śiva, accompanied by the chiefs of his gaṇas, set forth to burn the three cities (Tripura).

Word by Word

• सम्पूज्य (sampūjya): having fully worshipped

• पूज्यं (pūjyaṃ): the Worshipful One

• सह (saha): together with

• देवसंघैः (deva-saṅghaiḥ): the assemblies/hosts of devas

• विनायकं (vināyakaṃ): Vināyaka (Gaṇeśa), the Remover of obstacles

• नायकम् (nāyakam): leader, commander

• ईश्वराणाम् (īśvarāṇām): of the lords/rulers (of the cosmic functions)

• गणेश्वरैः (gaṇeśvaraiḥ): with the chiefs of the gaṇas

• एव (eva): indeed/alone (emphatic)

• नगेन्द्रधन्वा (nagendra-dhanvā): he whose bow is a mountain (Śiva)

• पुरत्रयं (pura-trayaṃ): the three cities (Tripura)

• दग्धुम् (dagdhum): to burn

• असौ (asau): that Lord (Śiva)

• जगाम (jagāma): went forth, proceeded.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganesha (Vinayaka)
• Devas
• Ganas (Shiva’s attendants)

FAQs

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

It shows that even in world-transforming acts like Tripura-dahana, success begins with pūjā and the removal of obstacles through Vināyaka—affirming that Śiva’s work proceeds through sacred order (pūjā-vidhi) and divine alignment.

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

Śiva appears as Pati—the sovereign who commands devas and gaṇas—yet he acts through dharmic protocol: worship is not limitation but the manifestation of his lordship as cosmic harmony and right action.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pūjā as a preparatory rite (ārambha-śuddhi) is highlighted—invoking Vināyaka to clear impediments—mirroring the Pāśupata emphasis on removing pasha (obstructions/bondage) before undertaking higher sādhanā or sacred action.