Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

नैमिषारण्ये सूतागमनम् — लिङ्गमाहात्म्यभूमिका तथा शब्दब्रह्म-ओङ्कार-लिङ्गतत्त्वम्

Devanagari script

उपासितः पुराणार्थं लब्धा तस्माच्च संहिता तस्माद्भवन्तं पृच्छामः सूत पौराणिकोत्तमम्

Transliteration

upāsitaḥ purāṇārthaṃ labdhā tasmācca saṃhitā tasmādbhavantaṃ pṛcchāmaḥ sūta paurāṇikottamam

Translation

પુરાણાર્થનું સમ્યક્ ઉપાસન-અધ્યયન કરીને અને તેથી આ સંહિતા પ્રાપ્ત કરીને, તેથી હે સૂત—પૌરાણિકોમાં ઉત્તમ—અમે તમને પૂછીએ છીએ, જેથી પતિ-તત્ત્વ (શિવ), પશુની મુક્તિ અને પાશ (બંધન)નું છેદન સ્પષ્ટ જાણી શકાય।

Word by Word

• उपासितः (upāsitaḥ): duly studied/served with reverence

• पुराणार्थम् (purāṇārtham): the meaning/purport of the Purāṇas

• लब्धा (labdhā): obtained/attained

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore/from that

• च (ca): and

• संहिता (saṁhitā): compendium/collection (authoritative text)

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore

• भवन्तम् (bhavantaṁ): you (honorific)

• पृच्छामः (pṛcchāmaḥ): we ask/inquire

• सूत (sūta): O Sūta

• पौराणिकोत्तमम् (paurāṇikottamam): the best among Purāṇa-knowers/expounders

Speaker

Sages of Naimisharanya (Rishis) addressing Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Suta

FAQs

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

It establishes scriptural authority: the sages approach Sūta, the best Purāṇic expounder, indicating that correct understanding (and thus correct Linga-pūjā) must be received through an authentic samhitā and lineage of teaching.

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

Indirectly, it frames the inquiry as a pursuit of ultimate Purāṇic meaning—classically read in Shaiva Siddhānta as knowing Pati (the Lord, Śiva) who alone can remove pāśa (bondage) from the paśu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights śāstra-upāsanā—reverent study and disciplined inquiry—as a foundational sādhana that precedes and guides ritual (pūjā) and yogic paths such as Pāśupata-oriented practice.