Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 144

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

स्कन्धः स्कन्धधरो धुर्यः प्रकटः प्रीतिवर्धनः अपराजितः सर्वसहो विदग्धः सर्ववाहनः

Transliteration

skandhaḥ skandhadharo dhuryaḥ prakaṭaḥ prītivardhanaḥ aparājitaḥ sarvasaho vidagdhaḥ sarvavāhanaḥ

Translation

वह स्कन्ध—आधार‑स्तम्भ है; स्कन्धधर, धुर्य—जगत् का भार धारण करने वाला अग्रणी। वह प्रकट, स्वयम्प्रकाश, और भक्ति‑आनन्द को बढ़ाने वाला है। वह अपराजित, सर्वसह—सब सहने वाला; विदग्ध—परम विवेकी, और सर्ववाहन—समस्त वाहनों/उपायों का धारक‑नियन्ता है, जो जीवों की गति को बन्धन से मोक्ष की ओर ले जाता है।

Word by Word

• स्कन्धः: support/pillar, foundational prop

• स्कन्धधरः: bearer of the load, sustainer

• धुर्यः: foremost, fit to bear responsibility, chief

• प्रकटः: manifest, clearly revealed

• प्रीतिवर्धनः: increaser of joy/affection (devotional delight)

• अपराजितः: unconquered, invincible

• सर्वसहः: all-enduring, patient under all

• विदग्धः: skilled, wise, discerning

• सर्ववाहनः: having all as vehicles, mover/supporter of all conveyances

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

As part of the Shiva Sahasranama, this verse supports nāma-japa in Linga-pūjā: it frames the Linga as the manifest (prakaṭa) Pati who sustains the cosmos and increases the devotee’s prīti (devotional joy).

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

It presents Shiva as Pati—the invincible and all-enduring sustainer (skandha, skandhadhara) who is self-revealing (prakaṭa) and supremely discerning (vidagdha), guiding pashus (souls) beyond pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is Sahasranāma-japa during Linga-pūjā; in a Pāśupata sense, steady remembrance of the unconquered Lord (aparājita) builds endurance (sarvasaha) and devotion (prītivardhana) that supports liberation-oriented discipline.