Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 125

Devanagari script

पठेत्प्रतिष्ठाकालेषु शिवसन्निधिकारणम् चोरव्याघ्राहिसिंहान्तकृतो राजभयेषु च

Transliteration

paṭhetpratiṣṭhākāleṣu śivasannidhikāraṇam coravyāghrāhisiṃhāntakṛto rājabhayeṣu ca

Translation

One should recite this at the time of establishing the Liṅga, for it becomes a cause for Śiva’s immediate presence. It also wards off dangers arising from thieves, tigers, serpents, lions, death itself, and even fears caused by kings (worldly authority).

Word by Word

• पठेत् (paṭhet): one should recite

• प्रतिष्ठाकालेषु (pratiṣṭhā-kāleṣu): at the times of installation/consecration

• शिव (śiva): Lord Śiva, the Pati

• सन्निधि (sannidhi): presence, nearness

• कारणम् (kāraṇam): cause, means

• चोर (cora): thief

• व्याघ्र (vyāghra): tiger

• अहि (ahi): serpent

• सिंह (siṁha): lion

• अन्तकृतः (antakṛtaḥ): death/terminator (as a fear, i.e., Yama or mortality)

• राजभयेषु (rāja-bhayeṣu): in fears from kings/rulers

• च (ca): and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga-pratiṣṭhā instructions to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames recitation during Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā as a direct means (kāraṇa) to invoke Śiva’s sannidhi—making the installation ritually “alive” with the Lord’s presence.

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

Śiva is presented as Pati whose presence dispels worldly pasha-like fears—threats from beings, death, and political power—showing His protective, sovereign grace when invoked through consecration.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra/śloka-japa at the time of pratiṣṭhā is highlighted; it functions as a protective rite and a devotion-centered practice aligning the pashu (soul) toward refuge in Śiva.