Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

अन्धक-हिरण्याक्ष-प्रसङ्गः, वराहावतारः, दंष्ट्राभूषणं च

Devanagari script

जगतां हिताय भवता वसुंधरा भगवन् रसातलपुटं गता तदा अबलोद्धृता च भगवंस्तवैव सकलं त्वयैव हि धृतं जगद्गुरो

Transliteration

jagatāṃ hitāya bhavatā vasuṃdharā bhagavan rasātalapuṭaṃ gatā tadā abaloddhṛtā ca bhagavaṃstavaiva sakalaṃ tvayaiva hi dhṛtaṃ jagadguro

Translation

O Bhagavān, for the welfare of all worlds You lifted up the Earth when she had sunk into the hollow of Rasātala. Truly, O Lord, the entire cosmos is Yours alone—by You alone it is borne and sustained, O Guru of the universe.

Word by Word

• जगताम् (jagatām): of the worlds

• हिताय (hitāya): for the welfare

• भवता (bhavatā): by you

• वसुंधरा (vasuṁdharā): the Earth

• भगवन् (bhagavan): O Blessed Lord

• रसातलपुटम् (rasātala-puṭam): into the cavity/region of Rasātala

• गता (gatā): having gone/sunk

• तदा (tadā): then

• अबल-उद्धृता (abala-uddhṛtā): lifted up when helpless/without support

• च (ca): and

• भगवन् (bhagavan): O Lord

• तव एव (tava eva): yours alone

• सकलम् (sakalam): all, the entire (universe)

• त्वया एव (tvayā eva): by you alone

• हि (hi): indeed

• धृतम् (dhṛtam): held up/sustained

• जगद्गुरो (jagad-guro): O teacher of the world

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages; verse voiced as a praise addressed to Shiva)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Earth (Vasundhara/Bhumi)
• Rasatala

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the sole cosmic support (dhāraṇa) behind all worlds—an essential Linga-Purana theme where the Linga signifies the unwavering Pati who upholds creation and restores order when it collapses.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as Jagadguru and the sustaining ground of reality: when the Earth becomes unsupported (abala), he alone rescues and bears the entire cosmos, indicating his independent sovereignty beyond all pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights stuti (devotional praise) and smaraṇa (remembrance) of Shiva as the upholder; as a Shaiva takeaway, such contemplation supports Pashupata-oriented surrender to Pati, weakening pasha through devotion and right understanding.