Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

दक्षयज्ञध्वंसः—वीरभद्रप्रेषणं, देवविष्ण्वोः पराजयः, पुनरनुग्रहः

Devanagari script

गृहीत्वा गणपाः सर्वान् गङ्गास्रोतसि चिक्षिपुः वीरभद्रो महातेजाः शक्रस्योद्यच्छतः करम्

Transliteration

gṛhītvā gaṇapāḥ sarvān gaṅgāsrotasi cikṣipuḥ vīrabhadro mahātejāḥ śakrasyodyacchataḥ karam

Translation

Les Gaṇas les saisirent tous et les jetèrent dans le courant impétueux de la Gaṅgā. Et Vīrabhadra, flamboyant d’une splendeur immense, abattit le bras levé de Śakra (Indra) lorsqu’il se précipita en avant.

Word by Word

• gṛhītvā: having seized

• gaṇapāḥ (gaṇāḥ): Shiva’s attendants, the Gaṇas

• sarvān: all (of them)

• gaṅgā-srotasi: into the stream/current of the Gaṅgā

• cikṣipuḥ: they threw, cast

• vīrabhadraḥ: Vīrabhadra (Shiva’s fierce emanation)

• mahā-tejāḥ: of great fiery energy, exceedingly radiant

• śakrasya: of Śakra (Indra)

• udyacchataḥ: of one raising up / springing forth to strike

• karam: the hand/arm

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Vīrabhadra
• Shiva
• Gaṇas
• Gaṅgā
• Śakra (Indra)

FAQs

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

It reinforces that ritual power (yajña) is secondary to devotion and right orientation to Pati (Shiva). Linga-worship signifies humble surrender to Shiva-tattva; Indra’s raised arm being checked symbolizes the curbing of pride before the Linga’s supreme Lord.

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

Shiva-tattva appears as sovereign Pati who restrains even the king of devas through his śakti-manifestation, Vīrabhadra. The episode shows that cosmic order is upheld by Shiva’s will, and that tejas (divine potency) serves dharma when ego and disrespect arise.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied Pāśupata teaching is ego-subjugation: the paśu (bound soul) must abandon pāśa (pride, lordship-claims) and submit to Pati. The narrative cautions that external rites without inner reverence and self-restraint lead to spiritual downfall.