Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 133

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

ज्योतिर्मयो निराकारो जगन्नाथो जलेश्वरः तुम्बवीणी महाकायो विशोकः शोकनाशनः

Transliteration

jyotirmayo nirākāro jagannātho jaleśvaraḥ tumbavīṇī mahākāyo viśokaḥ śokanāśanaḥ

Translation

He is made of pure Light, formless and unconditioned; the Lord of the universe and the Sovereign over the waters. Bearing the tumbā-vīṇā, vast in cosmic form, He is sorrowless—and the One who destroys the sorrow of bound souls (paśus).

Word by Word

• ज्योतिर्मयः: constituted of divine light

• निराकारः: formless, beyond all limiting forms

• जगन्नाथः: Lord of the world/universe

• जलेश्वरः: Lord of waters, ruler of the aquatic principle

• तुम्बवीणी: (one) associated with the tumbā-vīṇā lute

• महाकायः: of immense/cosmic body

• विशोकः: free from sorrow, untouched by affliction

• शोकनाशनः: destroyer of sorrow, remover of grief (and the causes of grief)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a Shiva-Sahasranama within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as the formless, luminous Shiva (jyotirmaya, nirakara), guiding devotees to worship beyond mere shape—toward Pati, the transcendent Lord who removes the suffering of the bound soul.

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

Shiva is presented as pure Light and without form, yet also the cosmic Lord (Jagannatha) who governs elemental domains (Jaleshvara). He is untouched by sorrow (vishoka) and, as Pati, dispels the sorrow rooted in pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports nirakara-dhyana (formless meditation) and Linga-upasana that contemplates Shiva as jyoti; its key takeaway is inner Pashupata-oriented practice—seeking release from pasha through devotion and awareness of Shiva as shokanashana.