Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

Devanagari script

किं कार्यं मम युधि देवदैत्यसंघैर् हन्तुं यत्सकलमिदं क्षणात्समर्थः यत्तस्माद्भयमिहनास्ति योद्धुम् ईश वाञ्छैषा विपुलतरा न संशयो ऽत्र

Transliteration

kiṃ kāryaṃ mama yudhi devadaityasaṃghair hantuṃ yatsakalamidaṃ kṣaṇātsamarthaḥ yattasmādbhayamihanāsti yoddhum īśa vāñchaiṣā vipulatarā na saṃśayo 'tra

Translation

“What need have I, in battle, to be slain by hosts of Devas and Daityas, when I can destroy this entire array in an instant? Therefore there is no fear here in fighting, O Lord. This longing of mine is exceedingly great—of this there is no doubt.”

Word by Word

• किम्: what?

• कार्यम्: purpose/need

• मम: for me/my

• युधि: in battle

• देव-दैत्य-संघैः: by the assemblages of Devas and Daityas

• हन्तुम्: to kill/slay

• यत्: since/because

• सकलम् इदम्: this entire (host/world/array)

• क्षणात्: in a moment

• समर्थः: capable/powerful

• तत्-स्मात्: therefore

• भयम्: fear

• इह: here

• न अस्ति: is not

• योद्धुम्: to fight

• ईश: O Lord (Īśa)

• वाञ्छा: desire/longing

• एषा: this

• विपुलतरा: very great/abundant

• न संशयः: no doubt

• अत्र: here/in this.

Speaker

A Daitya/Asura addressing Lord Shiva (Īśa) within Suta’s narration

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas
• Daityas

FAQs

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

It highlights the Lord (Pati) as the instant, all-surpassing power—reminding the worshipper that the Linga signifies Shiva’s sovereign capacity to dissolve all opposition and pāśa (bondage).

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as Īśa—fearless, unconstrained, and capable of cosmic dissolution in a moment; all hosts (Deva/Daitya) are secondary before the Lord’s absolute mastery.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline: fearlessness and single-pointed resolve rooted in recognition of the Lord as Pati, before whom the forces that bind the paśu lose their power.