Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

पुष्पोडुपवहाभिश् च स्रवन्तीभिर् अलंकृते स्निग्धवर्णं महामूलम् अनेकस्कन्धपादपम्

Transliteration

puṣpoḍupavahābhiś ca sravantībhir alaṃkṛte snigdhavarṇaṃ mahāmūlam anekaskandhapādapam

Translation

पुष्प और कमल-कलिकाएँ बहाकर ले जाने वाली प्रवहमान धाराओं से वह स्थान अलंकृत था; वहीं एक महान वृक्ष था—स्निग्ध तेजस्वी वर्ण वाला, गहन मूलों से युक्त, और अनेक स्कन्धों-शाखाओं में विस्तृत—मानो सृष्टि-मण्डल में पति परमेश्वर का पावन आधार।

Word by Word

• पुष्प (puṣpa): flower

• उडुप (uḍupa): lotus / water-bloom

• वहाभिः (vahābhiḥ): by those that carry (bearing along)

• च (ca): and

• स्रवन्तीभिः (sravantībhiḥ): by flowing streams

• अलंकृते (alaṃkṛte): adorned, beautified

• स्निग्धवर्णम् (snigdhavarṇam): glossy/bright-colored, lustrous-hued

• महामूलम् (mahāmūlam): having great roots, deep-rooted

• अनेक (aneka): many

• स्कन्ध (skandha): trunk, main branch

• पादपम् (pādapam): tree

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the worship-setting as inherently consecrated: flowing waters and flower-bearing currents beautify the place, indicating a naturally pure kṣetra suitable for approaching the Linga as Pati.

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

By portraying a radiant, deep-rooted, many-branched support within the world, it hints at Shiva as Pati—unshaken foundation and inner sustainer—while creation’s beauty (streams, flowers) becomes a sign of His immanent grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implicitly supports puṣpa-arcana (flower-offering) and tīrtha/āpaḥ-śauca (purification through sacred waters), preparatory to Linga-pūjā and contemplative Pāśupata orientation toward Pati.