Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

Bhūtavana–Kailāsa–Mandākinī–Rudrapurī: Śiva’s Jeweled Abodes and Perpetual Worship

Devanagari script

प्रतिद्वीपे मुनिश्रेष्ठाः पर्वतेषु वनेषु च नदीनदतटाकानां तीरेष्वर्णवसंधिषु

Transliteration

pratidvīpe muniśreṣṭhāḥ parvateṣu vaneṣu ca nadīnadataṭākānāṃ tīreṣvarṇavasaṃdhiṣu

Translation

हे मुनिश्रेष्ठो! प्रत्येक द्वीप में—पर्वतों पर, वनों में, नदियों-नालों-सरिताओं तथा सरोवरों के तटों पर, और समुद्र-संगम-स्थलों पर—ऋषिगण निवास करते हैं। वे ऐसे पवित्र आसन स्थापित करते हैं जहाँ पशु (बद्ध जीव) को पति, शिव की ओर प्रवृत्त किया जाता है।

Word by Word

• प्रतिद्वीपे: in every dvīpa/region

• मुनिश्रेष्ठाः: the foremost sages

• पर्वतेषु: on mountains

• वनेषु: in forests

• च: and

• नदी: river

• नद: stream/river-current

• तटाकानाम्: of lakes/ponds

• तीरेषु: on the banks/shores

• अर्णव: ocean

• संधिषु: at junctions/confluences/meeting-points

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Sages (Munis)

FAQs

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

It maps the natural tirtha-landscape where Śaiva sages establish sanctity—riverbanks, forests, mountains, and ocean-junctions—settings traditionally suited for Linga-pratiṣṭhā, japa, and tapas that turn the mind from Pāśa (bondage) toward Pati (Śiva).

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

By highlighting the sages’ pervasive presence across all lands, it implies Śiva-tattva as all-pervading and approachable through purified places and disciplined practice—Śiva as Pati who can be realized wherever dharma and sādhana are established.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to tapas and tirtha-based sādhana—living in forests and by waters for japa, dhyāna, and Śaiva observances—an atmosphere aligned with Pāśupata-oriented restraint, worship, and inner purification.