Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

अथ जांबूनदमयैर् भवनैर्मणिभूषितैः विमानैर्विविधाकारैः प्राकारैश् च समावृतम्

Transliteration

atha jāṃbūnadamayair bhavanairmaṇibhūṣitaiḥ vimānairvividhākāraiḥ prākāraiś ca samāvṛtam

Translation

तब वह नगरी चारों ओर से घिरी हुई दिखाई दी—जाम्बूनद-स्वर्ण के भवनों से, जो मणियों से अलंकृत थे; अनेक अद्भुत आकारों वाले विमानों से; और दीप्त प्राकारों से। वह पाश-विनाशक पति-शिव के योग्य सिद्ध-धाम के समान शोभित थी।

Word by Word

• atha: then

• jāmbūnada-mayaiḥ: made of jāmbūnada (refined, superior) gold

• bhavanaiḥ: with palatial houses/dwellings

• maṇi-bhūṣitaiḥ: adorned with gems

• vimānaiḥ: with vimānas (celestial aerial mansions/vehicles)

• vividha-ākāraiḥ: of various forms/shapes

• prākāraiḥ: with ramparts/encircling walls

• ca: and

• samāvṛtam: completely surrounded/enclosed

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It portrays the sanctified, protected sacred enclosure—like a temple-prākāra—suggesting that approach to the Linga (Pati) is through a consecrated space that supports purity, devotion, and steadiness of mind.

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

By depicting a flawless, all-surrounding radiance and order, it hints at Shiva as Pati—self-luminous and sovereign—within whose presence the pashu (bound soul) finds a realm free from pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The imagery aligns with temple-based Shiva-puja: entering the prākāra (outer enclosure) as a graded approach to the sanctum, and yogically, establishing an “inner fortress” of discipline that encloses the senses before contemplation of the Linga.