Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 137

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

Devanagari script

हंसाख्यं च ततो ब्रह्म व्योम्नश्चोर्ध्वं ततः परम् व्योमाख्यो व्योममध्यस्थो ह्य् अयं प्राथमिकः स्मरेत्

Transliteration

haṃsākhyaṃ ca tato brahma vyomnaścordhvaṃ tataḥ param vyomākhyo vyomamadhyastho hy ayaṃ prāthamikaḥ smaret

Translation

Above the expanse of space (vyoman) is Brahman known as Haṃsa; beyond that, higher still, is the Brahman called Vyoma, abiding in the very midst of the sky. This is the primary, first contemplation to be remembered.

Word by Word

• हंसाख्यम् (haṃsākhyam): called ‘Haṃsa’

• च (ca): and

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereafter

• ब्रह्म (brahma): Brahman, the supreme principle

• व्योम्नः (vyomnaḥ): above the sky/space

• च (ca): and

• ऊर्ध्वम् (ūrdhvam): upward, higher

• ततः परम् (tataḥ param): beyond that, higher than that

• व्योमाख्यः (vyomākhyaḥ): named ‘Vyoma’

• व्योममध्यस्थः (vyomamadhyasthaḥ): situated in the middle of space

• हि (hi): indeed

• अयम् (ayam): this

• प्राथमिकः (prāthamikaḥ): primary, first

• स्मरेत् (smaret): should remember/meditate upon.

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Brahman (as Haṃsa and Vyoma)

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-upāsanā as inner contemplation: the devotee first stabilizes awareness in ‘Vyoma’ (vast space-like consciousness), preparing the mind to recognize the Linga as the formless Pati beyond worldly forms.

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

By pointing to Haṃsa and Vyoma as names of Brahman, it indicates Shiva-tattva as the all-pervading, space-like reality—immanent (in the midst of space) yet transcendent (higher than the sky), the Lord (Pati) who is not limited by pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A dhyāna-krama (meditative sequence): remembering the ‘primary’ contemplation of Vyoma/Haṃsa—an inner-space visualization used to steady the pashu (individual soul) for Pashupata-style realization.