Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 174

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

देवैरशान्तैर्यद्रूपं मदीयं भावयाव्ययम् किमायुधेन कार्यं वै योद्धुं देवारिसूदन

Transliteration

devairaśāntairyadrūpaṃ madīyaṃ bhāvayāvyayam kimāyudhena kāryaṃ vai yoddhuṃ devārisūdana

Translation

The unquiet Devas have contemplated that imperishable form of mine. What need is there of any weapon? O slayer of the enemies of the Devas, go forth to fight.

Word by Word

• देवैः (devaiḥ): by the Devas

• अशान्तैः (aśāntaiḥ): by the restless/unpacified

• यत् (yat): which

• रूपम् (rūpam): form

• मदीयम् (madīyam): my

• भावय (bhāvaya): contemplate/meditate upon

• अव्ययम् (avyayam): imperishable, undecaying

• किम् (kim): what?

• आयुधेन (āyudhena): with a weapon

• कार्यम् (kāryam): purpose/need

• वै (vai): indeed

• योद्धुम् (yoddhum): to fight

• देवारि-सूदन (devāri-sūdana): slayer of the foes of the Devas

Speaker

Shiva (contextually, addressing a Deva-champion)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes bhāvana (contemplative absorption) in Shiva’s avyaya-rūpa as the true source of strength—pointing to Linga worship as a means to anchor the mind in the imperishable Pati beyond mere external armaments.

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

Shiva is presented as avyaya—unchanging and imperishable—whose power is accessed through contemplation; this aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta’s Pati as the transcendent Lord who dissolves fear and overcomes pasha (bondage) when rightly realized.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Bhāvana/dhyāna on Shiva’s imperishable form—akin to Pashupata-oriented inner practice—where steadiness of awareness, not weapons, becomes the decisive means for victory over obstacles.