Shloka 19

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

बहुधा लिङ्गभेदाश् च नव चैव समासतः मूले ब्रह्मा तथा मध्ये विष्णुस्त्रिभुवनेश्वरः

Transliteration

bahudhā liṅgabhedāś ca nava caiva samāsataḥ mūle brahmā tathā madhye viṣṇustribhuvaneśvaraḥ

Translation

The classifications of the Liṅga are many; yet, in brief, they are summed as nine. In its base is Brahmā, and in its middle is Viṣṇu, the lord of the three worlds; thus the Liṅga is understood as the cosmic seat where all deities abide under Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• बहुधा: in many ways

• लिङ्ग-भेदाः: varieties/classifications of the linga

• च: and

• नव: nine

• च एव: and indeed

• समासतः: in summary/briefly

• मूले: at the root/base

• ब्रह्मा: Brahma

• तथा: likewise

• मध्ये: in the middle

• विष्णुः: Vishnu

• त्रि-भुवन-ईश्वरः: lord of the three worlds

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It frames the Liṅga as a comprehensive cosmic symbol: even Brahmā (creation) and Viṣṇu (sustenance) are situated within it, implying that worship of the Liṅga is worship of the supreme Pati (Śiva) who contains and transcends all functions.

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

By locating Brahmā at the base and Viṣṇu in the middle, the verse implies Śiva-tattva as the all-containing ground (ādhāra) of the cosmos—Pati under whom other deities operate, while the Liṅga stands as the sign (liṅga) of the formless Absolute.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily supports Liṅga-upāsanā through contemplative visualization (bhāvanā): the sādhaka meditates on the Liṅga as the cosmic axis, dissolving pasha (bondage) through recognition of Pati as the inner ruler beyond all divine functions.