Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

रक्तकल्पे वामदेवदर्शनं चतुर्कुमारोत्पत्तिः

Devanagari script

ये ऽपि चान्ये द्विजश्रेष्ठा युञ्जाना वाममीश्वरम् प्रपश्यन्ति महादेवं तद्भक्तास् तत्परायणाः

Transliteration

ye 'pi cānye dvijaśreṣṭhā yuñjānā vāmamīśvaram prapaśyanti mahādevaṃ tadbhaktās tatparāyaṇāḥ

Translation

Ô le meilleur des deux-fois-nés, d’autres encore—qui, par une application yogique disciplinée, contemplent le Seigneur dans son aspect Vāma (uni à la Śakti)—voient Mahādeva directement. Ils sont ses dévots, entièrement tournés vers lui comme refuge suprême.

Word by Word

• ये अपि (ye ’pi): even those

• च (ca): and

• अन्ये (anye): others

• द्विजश्रेष्ठाः (dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ): O best of the twice-born

• युञ्जानाः (yuñjānāḥ): engaging/applying themselves (in yoga)

• वामम् (vāmam): the Vāma/leftward aspect (Śakti-associated)

• ईश्वरम् (īśvaram): the Lord

• प्रपश्यन्ति (prapaśyanti): behold clearly/directly perceive

• महादेवम् (mahādevam): Mahādeva (Great God, Śiva)

• तद्भक्ताः (tadbhaktāḥ): His devotees

• तत्परायणाः (tatparāyaṇāḥ): those whose highest goal/refuge is Him alone

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahadeva
• Ishvara

FAQs

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

It links Linga-centered devotion with inner realization: those established in worship and yogic discipline gain direct perception (darśana) of Mahādeva, affirming that the Linga is a gateway to experiencing Pati beyond mere external ritual.

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

Śiva is presented as Īśvara and Mahādeva who can be directly ‘seen’ when the pashu (soul) turns fully toward Him; as Pati, He is approachable through bhakti and yoga, especially in His Śakti-united (Vāma) manifestation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes yuj- (yoga-application): sustained contemplative practice focused on Īśvara’s Vāma aspect—i.e., meditative integration of Śiva with Śakti—leading to clear darśana and unwavering devotion (tatparāyaṇatā).