Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 97

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

Devanagari script

अज्ञान = सोउर्चे ओफ़् संसार नान्तःप्रज्ञो बहिःप्रज्ञो न चोभयगतस् तथा न प्रज्ञानघनस्त्वेवं न प्राज्ञो ज्ञानपूर्वकः

Transliteration

ajñāna = source of saṃsāra nāntaḥprajño bahiḥprajño na cobhayagatas tathā na prajñānaghanastvevaṃ na prājño jñānapūrvakaḥ

Translation

Ignorance is the very stream that carries one into saṃsāra. Bound by it, the pashu is neither inwardly awakened nor outwardly awakened, nor established in both; nor is awareness dense and steady. Thus one is not truly wise—until right knowledge arises first, as the cause of liberation.

Word by Word

• ajñānam: ignorance (āṇava/pāśa-bondage)

• saṃsārasya: of transmigratory existence

• srotas: stream/current/cause that carries along

• na: not

• antaḥ-prajñaḥ: inwardly cognizant/awakened

• bahiḥ-prajñaḥ: outwardly cognizant/awakened

• ubhaya-gataḥ: established in both (inner and outer)

• tathā: likewise

• prajñāna-ghanaḥ: compact/steady mass of awareness (undistracted consciousness)

• evaṃ: thus

• prājñaḥ: the truly wise/knower

• jñāna-pūrvakaḥ: preceded by (right) knowledge / having knowledge as the prerequisite.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva teaching within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as a jñāna-oriented Shaiva sādhanā: devotion to the Linga is meant to destroy ajñāna (pāśa) so the pashu becomes fit for Shiva’s grace and liberation.

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

By implication, Shiva (Pati) is pure, steady awareness beyond the divided states described here; when His jñāna dawns, the soul moves from fragmented cognition to true wisdom and freedom from saṃsāra.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to jñāna-pūrvaka sādhanā—disciplined contemplation and Shaiva yoga (Pashupata orientation) supported by Linga-pūjā, so ignorance is cut at its root rather than merely managed.