Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 146

Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः

Devanagari script

सितातपत्रं शैलादेर् आकाशमिव भाति तत् तत्रान्तर्बद्धमाला सा मुक्ताफलमयी शुभा

Transliteration

sitātapatraṃ śailāder ākāśamiva bhāti tat tatrāntarbaddhamālā sā muktāphalamayī śubhā

Translation

Un parasol cérémoniel blanc, posé sur une base semblable à une montagne, resplendit tel le ciel lui-même. En son sein est fixée une guirlande de bon augure faite de perles, pure et lumineuse, offerte avec révérence lors du culte du Liṅga de Śiva.

Word by Word

• सितातपत्रम्: white parasol/royal umbrella

• शैलादेः: upon/above the rocky or mountain-like base (śaila-ādi)

• आकाशम् इव: like the sky

• भाति: shines, appears resplendent

• तत्: that (parasol)

• तत्र: there, in it

• अन्तर्बद्धमाला: a garland fastened/arranged within

• सा: that (garland)

• मुक्ताफलमयी: consisting of pearl-beads

• शुभा: auspicious, благотворная

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

It highlights alankāra (sacred adornment) as a devotional upacāra: the white parasol and pearl garland signify honor offered to Pati (Śiva) and the sattvic purity sought by the pashu (soul) in worship.

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

By comparing the parasol’s radiance to the sky, the verse gestures to Śiva’s all-pervading, stainless vastness—Pati as the expansive ground beyond pasha (bondage), under whose shelter the devotee seeks refuge.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Liṅga-pūjā upacāra is indicated: offering a chatra (ceremonial parasol) and mālā (garland). Yogically, it reinforces cultivating inner śauca (purity) and sattva as supports for Pāśupata-oriented devotion.