Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 129

ध्यानयज्ञः, संसार-विष-निरूपणम्, पाशुपतयोगः, परा-अपरा विद्या, चतुर्वस्था-विचारः (अध्यायः ८६)

Devanagari script

क्षितौ शर्वः स्मृतो देवो ह्य् अपां भव इति स्मृतः रुद्र एव तथा वह्नौ उग्रो वायौ व्यवस्थितः

Transliteration

kṣitau śarvaḥ smṛto devo hy apāṃ bhava iti smṛtaḥ rudra eva tathā vahnau ugro vāyau vyavasthitaḥ

Translation

In the earth the Deva is remembered as Śarva; in the waters he is remembered as Bhava. In fire he is indeed Rudra, and in the wind he abides as Ugra. Thus the one Pati, Śiva, is immanent within the elements while remaining the transcendent Lord of all paśus.

Word by Word

• क्षितौ (kṣitau): in the earth

• शर्वः (śarvaḥ): Śarva (a name of Śiva)

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is remembered/known

• देवः (devaḥ): the Deva, the shining Lord

• हि (hi): indeed

• अपाम् (apām): of waters/in the waters

• भव (bhava): Bhava (a name of Śiva)

• इति (iti): thus

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is called/remembered

• रुद्रः (rudraḥ): Rudra (Śiva as the fierce healer)

• एव (eva): indeed

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• वह्नौ (vahnau): in fire

• उग्रः (ugraḥ): Ugra (the intense, formidable form)

• वायौ (vāyau): in the wind

• व्यवस्थितः (vyavasthitaḥ): established/abiding

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sharva
• Bhava
• Rudra
• Ugra
• Agni
• Vayu

FAQs

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

It teaches that the Linga signifies Śiva as the indwelling reality of the elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—so worship is not limited to a form but recognizes the Pati pervading all.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as both transcendent Lord (Pati) and immanent presence within the bhūtas, known by distinct names according to the elemental seat while remaining one undivided Rudra.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It supports bhūta-śuddhi and Pāśupata-style contemplation—purifying perception by meditating on Śiva’s presence in the elements as Śarva, Bhava, Rudra, and Ugra.