Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67

भुवनकोशविन्यासनिर्णयः (ज्योतिर्गति-वृष्टिचक्र-वर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

जलस्य नाशो वृद्धिर्वा नास्त्येवास्य विचारतः ध्रुवेणाधिष्ठितो वायुर् वृष्टिं संहरते पुनः

Transliteration

jalasya nāśo vṛddhirvā nāstyevāsya vicārataḥ dhruveṇādhiṣṭhito vāyur vṛṣṭiṃ saṃharate punaḥ

Translation

विचार करने पर जल का न तो नाश होता है, न ही वास्तविक वृद्धि। ध्रुव-नियम से अधिष्ठित वायु फिर वर्षा को समेट लेती है। इस प्रकार तत्त्व का क्षय नहीं होता; केवल नियमानुसार चक्र चलता रहता है।

Word by Word

• jalasya: of water

• nāśaḥ: destruction

• vṛddhiḥ: increase/growth

• vā: or

• na asti eva: does not exist at all (in truth)

• asya: of it

• vicārataḥ: upon inquiry/analysis

• dhruveṇa: by the fixed (steadfast) principle/order

• adhiṣṭhitaḥ: presided over/regulated

• vāyuḥ: wind

• vṛṣṭim: rainfall

• saṃharate: withdraws/draws back/dissolves

• punaḥ: again

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Vayu

FAQs

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

It frames nature’s cycles as orderly and governed, supporting the Shaiva view that the elements function under Pati’s (Shiva’s) sovereign regulation—encouraging Linga-puja as alignment with that cosmic order.

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

By implying an unbroken regulation behind apparent increase and loss, it points to Shiva-tattva as the steady governor (niyantṛ) of tattvas—unchanging Pati, while transformations occur within prakriti and the bhutas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It suggests bhuta-śuddhi and Pashupata-oriented contemplation: discerning that elements only transform (not truly perish), a meditative insight used to loosen pasha (bondage) in the pashu (soul).