Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

शुभाङ्गो लोकसारङ्गो जगदीशो ऽमृताशनः भस्मशुद्धिकरो मेरुर् ओजस्वी शुद्धविग्रहः

Transliteration

śubhāṅgo lokasāraṅgo jagadīśo 'mṛtāśanaḥ bhasmaśuddhikaro merur ojasvī śuddhavigrahaḥ

Translation

Auspicious-limbed, the antelope of the world’s essence—moving freely yet unattached within all beings; the Lord of the universe; the partaker of amṛta, the nectar of immortality. He purifies through sacred ash; like Meru, the immovable support; filled with spiritual vigor; and of perfectly pure form.

Word by Word

• शुभाङ्गः: one with auspicious limbs/form

• लोकसारङ्गः: the ‘world-antelope’, moving in the essence of the world (subtle, swift, unattached)

• जगदीशः: Lord of the universe

• अमृताशनः: eater/partaker of amṛta (immortality)

• भस्मशुद्धिकरः: purifier by means of bhasma (sacred ash)

• मेरुः: Meru, the cosmic mountain

• ओजस्वी: endowed with ojas (spiritual potency/vigor)

• शुद्धविग्रहः: one whose embodiment/form is pure

Speaker

Suta Goswami (reciting 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?

The verse praises Shiva as śuddha-vigraha (pure embodiment) and as the purifier through bhasma, directly aligning with Linga-puja where sacred ash signifies renunciation, inner purification, and devotion to Pati (Shiva) beyond worldly pāśas.

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

Shiva is presented as Jagadīśa (Pati, the sovereign of all worlds), simultaneously immanent (present within the world’s essence) and transcendent (amṛtāśana, established in immortality), with unwavering stability like Meru and intrinsic purity (śuddha-vigraha).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Bhasma-dhāraṇa (application of sacred ash) is implied: it is a Shaiva rite and yogic discipline that reminds the paśu of impermanence, burns impurities, and supports Pashupata-oriented inner purification and steadfastness.