Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

सर्वेषामेव भूतानां बलिदानं विधानतः भूतयज्ञ इति प्रोक्तो भूतिदः सर्वदेहिनाम्

Transliteration

sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṃ balidānaṃ vidhānataḥ bhūtayajña iti prokto bhūtidaḥ sarvadehinām

Translation

विधिपूर्वक समस्त प्राणियों को दिया गया बलि-दान ‘भूतयज्ञ’ कहलाता है; वह सभी देहधारियों को कल्याण और पोषण प्रदान करता है।

Word by Word

• सर्वेषाम् (sarveṣām): of all

• एव (eva): indeed

• भूतानाम् (bhūtānām): of beings/creatures

• बलिदानम् (balidānam): offering of bali/oblations

• विधानतः (vidhānataḥ): according to rule/prescription

• भूतयज्ञः (bhūtayajñaḥ): sacrifice offered to beings

• इति (iti): thus

• प्रोक्तः (proktaḥ): is said/declared

• भूतिदः (bhūtidaḥ): giver of welfare/prosperity to beings

• सर्वदेहिनाम् (sarva-dehinām): of all embodied ones

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames compassion and rightful offerings to living beings (bhūtas) as a yajña aligned with Shiva-dharma, supporting purity and auspiciousness for Linga-pūjā.

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

By emphasizing welfare to all embodied beings, it reflects Shiva as Pati—the gracious Lord whose dharma uplifts paśus (souls) bound by pasha (bondage) through regulated, sattvic conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Bhūta-yajña: offering bali according to prescribed vidhi—an ethical-ritual discipline that supports inner purification and steadiness beneficial for Pashupata-oriented sadhana.