Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 29

Adhyaya 17: लिङ्गोद्भव—ब्रह्मविष्ण्वहङ्कार-शमनं, ओंकार-प्रादुर्भावः, मन्त्र-तत्त्वं च

Devanagari script

नित्यान्ता ह्यणवो बद्धाः सृष्टाः क्रोधोद्भवादयः प्रसादाद्धि भवानण्डान्य् अनेकानीह लीलया

Transliteration

nityāntā hyaṇavo baddhāḥ sṛṣṭāḥ krodhodbhavādayaḥ prasādāddhi bhavānaṇḍāny anekānīha līlayā

Translation

Las almas atómicas (aṇu), aunque sin comienzo en su continuidad, son creadas como atadas (por el pāśa), junto con los seres nacidos de la ira y otros. Sin embargo, por Tu gracia, oh Señor, manifiestas aquí muchos brahmāṇḍas (huevos cósmicos), solo como Tu juego divino (līlā).

Word by Word

• नित्यान्ता: having an eternal beginningless continuity

• हि: indeed

• अणवः: aṇus, atomic souls (pashus)

• बद्धाः: bound, fettered

• सृष्टाः: created, projected

• क्रोधोद्भव-आदयः: wrath-born beings and others

• प्रसादात्: from grace, by favor

• हि: indeed

• भवान्: You (the Lord, Pati)

• अण्डानि: cosmic eggs, universes

• अनेकानि: many

• इह: here (in manifestation)

• लीलया: as sport, divine play

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal theological statement about Shiva as Pati)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as Pati—the Lord whose grace (prasāda) alone can loosen the soul’s bondage (pāśa). Linga worship is thus oriented toward anugraha: receiving Shiva’s liberating favor beyond mere cosmological knowledge.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as sovereign and gracious: He projects bound souls and worlds, yet remains free, creating countless universes as līlā while retaining the power to bestow liberation through prasāda.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is Pāśupata-oriented devotion and yoga aimed at removing pāśa through Shiva’s grace—supported by disciplined worship of the Linga, humility, and surrender to the Pati as the giver of anugraha.