Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 134

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

प्रभावात्मा जगत्कालः कालः कम्पी तरुस्तनुः सारङ्गो भूतचक्राङ्कः केतुमाली सुवेधकः

Transliteration

prabhāvātmā jagatkālaḥ kālaḥ kampī tarustanuḥ sāraṅgo bhūtacakrāṅkaḥ ketumālī suvedhakaḥ

Translation

वह प्रभावस्वरूप है; वह जगत् का काल है; वह स्वयं काल है; वह कम्पी, जो लोकों को कम्पित करता है। उसका तन तरु-रूप है; वह सारङ्ग (मृग) है; उसका चिह्न भूतचक्र है; वह केतुमाली है और सुवेधक—पाश-बंधन को भेदने वाला शिव है।

Word by Word

• प्रभावात्मा: whose essence is प्रभा (radiant power/splendor)

• जगत्कालः: the cosmic time governing the universe

• कालः: Time itself (the devourer and regulator)

• कम्पी: the shaker/trembler (who causes movement and upheaval)

• तरुस्तनुः: whose body/form is trees (vegetation as His embodiment)

• सारङ्गः: deer/antelope

• भूतचक्राङ्कः: whose emblem/mark (अङ्क) is the wheel/cycle (चक्र) of beings/elements (भूत)

• केतुमाली: adorned with ketus (banners/comets

• सुवेधकः: the excellent piercer/penetrator

• one who strikes true (also: one who imparts right knowledge that ‘pierces’ ignorance)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; Sahasranama recitation context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

These names train the devotee to worship the Liṅga not as a mere icon but as Pati—Shiva as cosmic Time, immanent life (trees), and the ruler of the bhūta-cakra; reciting them refines bhakti and steadies the mind for Liṅga-upāsanā.

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

It presents Shiva as both transcendent regulator (Kāla, Jagat-kāla) and immanent presence (Taru-tanuḥ), while remaining subtle and hard to grasp for the bound soul (Sāraṅgaḥ), and as the one who decisively breaks bondage through true penetration of ignorance (Su-vedhakaḥ).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Sahasranāma-japa with Kāla-bhāvanā (contemplation on Shiva as Time) supports Pāśupata-style inner practice: letting knowledge ‘pierce’ avidyā and loosening pāśas through steady remembrance during Liṅga-pūjā and meditation.