Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Devas Praise Śiva; Gaṇeśa Manifests as Vighneśvara and Receives the Primacy of Worship

Devanagari script

तवावतारो दैत्यानां विनाशाय ममात्मज देवानामुपकारार्थं द्विजानां ब्रह्मवादिनाम्

Transliteration

tavāvatāro daityānāṃ vināśāya mamātmaja devānāmupakārārthaṃ dvijānāṃ brahmavādinām

Translation

Ô mon fils, ta descente (avatāra) est pour la destruction des Daityas, pour le bien des Devas, et pour protéger et soutenir les deux-fois-nés, les proclamateurs de Brahman ; afin que le dharma demeure ferme sous le Pati, et que les paśu soient guidés loin du pāśa, le lien d’asservissement.

Word by Word

• tava: your

• avatāraḥ: incarnation/descent

• daityānām: of the Daityas (anti-god clans)

• vināśāya: for destruction/ending

• mama: my

• ātmaja: son (born of oneself)

• devānām: of the Devas

• upakāra-artham: for the purpose of benefit/welfare

• dvijānām: of the twice-born (initiated)

• brahma-vādinām: of those who speak/teach Brahman and Veda (Brahmavādins)

Speaker

Brahma (within Suta’s narration to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Daityas
• Devas
• Dwijas
• Brahmavadins

FAQs

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

It frames the Lord’s descent as dharma-protection: by removing adharma (Daityic oppression) and supporting Devas and Vedic practitioners, the conditions for proper Shiva-Linga worship, yajña, and śaiva observance are restored.

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

It presents Shiva-tattva as Pati—the sovereign protector who intervenes for cosmic balance: destroying forces of bondage and confusion, while empowering dharmic knowledge-bearers who guide paśus toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it highlights the safeguarding of Vedic recitation and dharma-based practice—foundational supports for Shiva-puja and the Pashupata orientation of disciplining life toward the Lord through right conduct and worship.