Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

शान्तस्य समरे चास्त्रं शान्तिरेव तपस्विनाम् योद्धुः शान्त्या बलच्छेदः परस्य बलवृद्धिदः

Transliteration

śāntasya samare cāstraṃ śāntireva tapasvinām yoddhuḥ śāntyā balacchedaḥ parasya balavṛddhidaḥ

Translation

For one who is established in peace, even in battle the true weapon is peace alone; and for ascetics too, peace itself is their power. By peace, a warrior cuts down his own force of aggression, while increasing the strength of the other—thus conquering through the Shaiva way of inner restraint.

Word by Word

• śāntasya: of the peaceful one

• samare: in battle

• ca: and

• astram: weapon

• śāntiḥ eva: peace alone

• tapasvinām: of ascetics (tapasvins)

• yoddhuḥ: of a fighter/warrior

• śāntyā: by peace/through tranquility

• bala-chedaḥ: the cutting off of (one's own) force/strength (of wrath)

• parasya: of the other/opponent

• bala-vṛddhi-daḥ: that which gives/increases strength

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva dharma teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that true Shiva-bhakti expressed through Linga worship matures into śānti (inner peace), which becomes the devotee’s real “weapon” against pasha—especially anger and violence.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the ground of śānti: Pati (the Lord) is inwardly tranquil and liberating, and the pashu (soul) approaches that state by dissolving reactive force rather than escalating conflict.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to Pashupata-oriented restraint (saṃyama) and meditative śānti as a yogic discipline—reducing krodha (anger) and egoic bala to loosen pasha (bondage) and stabilize devotion.