Shloka 7

विष्णुचक्रलाभो नाम (अर्धनारीश्वर-तत्त्वं, सती-पार्वती-सम्भवः, दक्षयज्ञविनाशः)

Devanagari script

लिङ्गस्तु भगवान्द्वाभ्यां जगत्सृष्टिर्द्विजोत्तमाः लिङ्गमूर्तिः शिवो ज्योतिस् तमसश्चोपरि स्थितः

Transliteration

liṅgastu bhagavāndvābhyāṃ jagatsṛṣṭirdvijottamāḥ liṅgamūrtiḥ śivo jyotis tamasaścopari sthitaḥ

Translation

O best of the twice-born, the Lord as the Liṅga brings forth the creation of the universe through the pair—Śiva and Śakti. Śiva, whose very form is the Liṅga, is the supreme Light (Jyotis), abiding above darkness (tamas) and its veiling power.

Word by Word

• लिङ्गः: the Liṅga (sign/symbolic form)

• तु: indeed

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord (Pati)

• द्वाभ्याम्: by the two (Śiva–Śakti pair)

• जगत्-सृष्टिः: creation of the world

• द्विजोत्तमाः: O best of the twice-born (address to Brahmins/sages)

• लिङ्ग-मूर्तिः: having the Liṅga as His form

• शिवः: Śiva, the auspicious Lord

• ज्योतिः: Light, luminous consciousness

• तमसः: of darkness/ignorance

• च: and

• उपरि: above

• स्थितः: established/abiding.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti
• Linga

FAQs

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

It identifies the Liṅga as Bhagavān Himself—Śiva’s revelatory form—so worship is not merely symbolic but a direct approach to Pati (the Lord) as the transcendent Jyotis who grants creation, order, and grace.

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

Śiva-tattva is presented as self-luminous Consciousness (Jyotis) that stands above tamas (ignorance/obscuration). As Liṅga-mūrti, He is both immanent (worshipable form) and transcendent (beyond darkness and limitation).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily supports Liṅga-pūjā as worship of the supreme Jyotis; yogically, it points to meditation on Śiva as inner light beyond tamas—aligning with Pāśupata-oriented contemplation that loosens pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (soul).