Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 50

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

स्वरूपमेव भगवान् आस्थाय परमेश्वरः दर्शयामास विप्राय बालेन्दुकृतशेखरम्

Transliteration

svarūpameva bhagavān āsthāya parameśvaraḥ darśayāmāsa viprāya bālendukṛtaśekharam

Translation

至上の主は自らの本質の御姿に住し、婆羅門に示現された——新たに昇る三日月を頂に戴くマハーデーヴァとして。

Word by Word

• स्वरूपम्: own true form/essential nature

• एव: indeed/alone

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord (Pati)

• आस्थाय: having assumed/taken refuge in

• परमेश्वरः: the Supreme Lord

• दर्शयामास: caused to be seen/revealed

• विप्राय: to the Brahmin

• बालेन्दु-कृत-शेखरम्: whose head-ornament (śekhara) is made by the young crescent moon

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, recounting the episode)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that beyond the worship of the Linga as symbol, Shiva grants direct anugraha by revealing His svarūpa to the devoted seeker—showing the Linga points to the living presence of Pati.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as Parameśvara who freely assumes His own essential form and makes Himself known—indicating His sovereignty (aiśvarya) and grace-oriented revelation rather than being merely inferred.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is Shiva-darśana as the fruit of bhakti and Pāśupata orientation—inner purification and single-pointed devotion culminating in the Lord’s self-disclosure (anugraha).