Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39

Adhyaya 59 — सूर्याद्यभिषेककथनम्

Surya and Related Abhisheka/ Cosmological Determinations

Devanagari script

वसंते कपिलः सूर्यो ग्रीष्मे काञ्चनसप्रभः श्वेतो वर्षासु वर्णेन पाण्डुः शरदि भास्करः

Transliteration

vasaṃte kapilaḥ sūryo grīṣme kāñcanasaprabhaḥ śveto varṣāsu varṇena pāṇḍuḥ śaradi bhāskaraḥ

Translation

वसन्त में सूर्य कपिल (ताम्र-पीत) दीखता है; ग्रीष्म में काञ्चन-प्रभा से चमकता है; वर्षा में श्वेत वर्ण होता है; और शरद् में भास्कर पाण्डु होता है—इस प्रकार काल के गुणों में प्रभु की शक्ति प्रकट होती है।

Word by Word

• वसन्ते: in spring

• कपिलः: tawny, reddish-brown

• सूर्यः: the Sun

• ग्रीष्मे: in summer

• काञ्चन-स-प्रभः: having the splendor of gold

• श्वेतः: white

• वर्षासु: in the rainy season

• वर्णेन: by color, in hue

• पाण्डुः: pale, whitish-yellow

• शरदि: in autumn

• भास्करः: the Sun, the illuminator

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Surya

FAQs

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

It frames seasonal change as a visible sign of cosmic governance; in Linga worship the devotee contemplates that all shifting qualities (ritu-varṇa) arise within Shiva’s ordered power, while the Linga signifies the unchanging Pati beyond change.

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

By highlighting changing appearances in nature, it implies Shiva-tattva as the stable ground of kala (time) and niyati (order): forms vary, but the Lord who regulates the cosmos remains constant, transcending the guṇas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Seasonal alignment of vrata and pūjā is suggested—adapting offerings and disciplines to ritu—along with a Pāśupata-style contemplation that the Pashu observes change without attachment, seeking refuge in the changeless Pati.