अध्याय ९६: शरभ-प्रादुर्भावः, नृसिंह-दर्पशमनम्, विष्णोः शिवस्तुतिः, फलश्रुति
अव्यक्ताय विशोकाय स्थिराय स्थिरधन्विने स्थाणवे कृत्तिवासाय नमः पञ्चार्थहेतवे
avyaktāya viśokāya sthirāya sthiradhanvine sthāṇave kṛttivāsāya namaḥ pañcārthahetave
Salam bhakti kepada Yang Tak Termanifest, Yang tanpa duka; Yang Teguh, pemegang busur yang tak tergoyahkan; kepada Sthāṇu, Kṛttivāsa—sebab dari lima realitas (pañcārtha) keberadaan.
Suta Goswami (narrating a Shiva-stuti within the Linga Purana)
It frames the Linga as Shiva’s avyaktā (unmanifest) reality—worship is directed to Pati beyond form, while the Linga serves as the stable support for meditation and devotion.
Shiva is presented as unconditioned and sorrowless (viśoka), yet also the steadfast ruler (sthira, sthāṇu) who stands as the causal ground behind the fivefold categories that govern manifested life.
The verse functions as mantra-stuti for japa and dhyāna in Linga-puja; yogically it supports Pashupata contemplation of Pati as the immutable cause, loosening pasha (bondage) upon the pashu (soul).