Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 158

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

धैर्याग्र्यधुर्यो धात्रीशः शाकल्यः शर्वरीपतिः परमार्थगुरुर् दृष्टिर् गुरुर् आश्रितवत्सलः

Transliteration

dhairyāgryadhuryo dhātrīśaḥ śākalyaḥ śarvarīpatiḥ paramārthagurur dṛṣṭir gurur āśritavatsalaḥ

Translation

He is the foremost bearer of steadfast courage, the supreme sustainer fit to carry all burdens; the Lord of Dhātrī, the cosmic support; the all-complete One; the Lord of the Night; the Guru of the highest truth; Vision itself—right insight; the Teacher; and the tender protector of all who take refuge in him.

Word by Word

• धैर्य (dhairya): steadfastness, fortitude

• अग्र्य (agrya): foremost, supreme

• धुर्य (dhurya): fit to bear the yoke/burden, capable bearer

• धात्रीशः (dhātrīśaḥ): Lord of Dhātrī, ruler of the sustaining principle/earth-support

• शाकल्यः (śākalyaḥ): the complete/entire one, gathered into wholeness

• शर्वरीपतिः (śarvarīpatiḥ): Lord of the night (and its mysteries)

• परमार्थगुरुः (paramārthaguruḥ): teacher of the highest reality (Paramārtha)

• दृष्टिः (dṛṣṭiḥ): vision, right perception, spiritual insight

• गुरुः (guruḥ): spiritual preceptor

• आश्रितवत्सलः (āśritavatsalaḥ): affectionate to those who seek refuge, protector of devotees

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Sahasranama to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga-Pati (Shiva) as both the sustaining Lord and the compassionate refuge of the devotee, making Linga-puja not merely ritual but surrender to Pati who bears the burden of the Pashu’s bondage.

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

Shiva is presented as Paramārtha-Guru (revealer of ultimate reality) and Dṛṣṭi (spiritual insight itself), indicating that liberation arises by His grace as the supreme Teacher who grants right vision beyond Pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily emphasizes śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) and guru-bhāva—approaching Shiva as the inner Guru; this aligns with Pāśupata-oriented discipline where right vision (dṛṣṭi) and surrender mature into release of the Pashu from Pāśa.