Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 118

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

भयाद्देवं निरीक्ष्यैव देवीं हिमवतः सुताम् दृष्ट्वा भीतं तदानीकं देवानां देवपुङ्गवः

Transliteration

bhayāddevaṃ nirīkṣyaiva devīṃ himavataḥ sutām dṛṣṭvā bhītaṃ tadānīkaṃ devānāṃ devapuṅgavaḥ

Translation

恐れのあまり、神々の中の最勝者は、ヒマヴァトの娘なる女神を見つめた。そこに主が在すのを見て、その神々の軍勢はその瞬間に恐怖に包まれた。

Word by Word

• भयात् (bhayāt): out of fear

• देवं (devaṃ): the Lord/the god

• निरीक्ष्य एव (nirīkṣya eva): having looked, indeed

• देवीं (devīm): the Goddess

• हिमवतः (himavataḥ): of Himavat (the हिमालय)

• सुताम् (sutām): daughter

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• भीतं (bhītaṃ): frightened/afraid

• तदानीकम् (tadānīkaṃ): that host/that troop (then present)

• देवानाम् (devānām): of the gods

• देवपुङ्गवः (devapuṅgavaḥ): the foremost/bull among the gods

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga account to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Devi (Parvati/Uma)
• Himavat
• Devas

FAQs

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

It frames divine vision (darśana) as awe-inspiring: before approaching the Linga as Pati (the Lord), even the Devas respond with reverent fear, indicating that worship begins with humility and surrender rather than familiarity.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as overwhelming and transcendent: when the Devas perceive the Lord in relation to the Goddess (Shakti), their fear signals the immeasurable majesty of Pati beyond ordinary divine power.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies bhaya-bhakti and prapatti (reverent surrender): in Pashupata-oriented practice, the pashu (bound soul) approaches Pati with awe, letting fear of limitation dissolve into disciplined devotion (upāsanā) and inner restraint.