Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 120

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

विबुधाग्रवरश्रेष्ठः सर्वदेवोत्तमोत्तमः शिवज्ञानरतः श्रीमान् शिखिश्रीपर्वतप्रियः

Transliteration

vibudhāgravaraśreṣṭhaḥ sarvadevottamottamaḥ śivajñānarataḥ śrīmān śikhiśrīparvatapriyaḥ

Translation

He is the foremost among the best of the gods, the Supreme above all deities. Ever absorbed in the knowledge of Śiva-tattva, the auspicious and radiant Lord is beloved of the glorious mountain Śikhī.

Word by Word

• विबुध (vibudha): god, celestial

• अग्र (agra): foremost

• वर (vara): excellent

• श्रेष्ठ (śreṣṭha): best, श्रेष्ठः (śreṣṭhaḥ): the best one

• सर्व (sarva): all

• देव (deva): gods

• उत्तम-उत्तम (uttamottama): the highest of the high, supreme

• शिव (śiva): Shiva, auspicious

• ज्ञान (jñāna): knowledge, true insight

• रतः (rataḥ): devoted/absorbed

• श्रीमान् (śrīmān): endowed with splendour, auspicious majesty

• शिखि (śikhi): Śikhī (name of a mountain/peak)

• श्री (śrī): glory, splendour

• पर्वत (parvata): mountain

• प्रियः (priyaḥ): dear, beloved

Speaker

Suta Goswami (reciting the Shiva Sahasranama within the Linga Purana narration)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

As a Sahasranama-style epithet, it frames Linga-puja as worship of the Supreme Pati—Shiva beyond all gods—so the devotee’s offering is directed to the highest reality, not a limited deity.

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

It presents Shiva as uttamottama—transcendent and unrivaled—while also emphasizing jñāna: Shiva is the very ground of liberating knowledge that cuts pasha (bondage) and uplifts the pashu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice implied is Shiva-jñāna-nishṭhā—steadfast contemplation of Shiva-tattva—an inner limb aligned with Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā that complements external Linga-puja.