Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

मदनदाहः — पार्वतीतपः, स्वयंवरलीला, देवस्तम्भनं, दिव्यचक्षुर्दानम्

Devanagari script

तत्र ते स्तम्भितास्तेन तथैव सुरसत्तमाः प्रणेमुर् मनसा सर्वे सनारायणकाः प्रभुम्

Transliteration

tatra te stambhitāstena tathaiva surasattamāḥ praṇemur manasā sarve sanārāyaṇakāḥ prabhum

Translation

ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಆ (ದಿವ್ಯ ಶಕ್ತಿ)ಯಿಂದ ಸ್ಥಂಭಿತರಾಗಿ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ದೇವರುಗಳು ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ನಿಂತರು; ನಾರಾಯಣನೊಡನೆ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಭು ಪತಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಣಾಮ ಮಾಡಿದರು।

Word by Word

• तत्र (tatra): there

• ते (te): they

• स्तम्भिताः (stambhitāḥ): immobilized, restrained, made to stand still

• तेन (tena): by that (power/manifestation)

• तथैव (tathaiva): just so, in that very manner

• सुरसत्तमाः (surasattamāḥ): the best among the gods

• प्रणेमुः (praṇemuḥ): bowed down, paid obeisance

• मनसा (manasā): mentally, within the mind

• सर्वे (sarve): all

• सनारायणकाः (sa-nārāyaṇakāḥ): along with Nārāyaṇa (Vishnu)

• प्रभुम् (prabhum): the Lord, the Master (Pati)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu (Narayana)
• Devas

FAQs

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

It shows the Devas being halted by the divine manifestation (stambha/linga-like sign of the Absolute) and responding with inner surrender, implying that true Linga-worship begins with recognition of Pati’s supremacy beyond celestial power.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as the sovereign Pati who can restrain even the greatest Devas; the proper response is manasa-praṇāma—acknowledging the Lord as transcendent controller of pasha (bondage) and the bestower of release.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mental prostration (mānasa-pūjā / manasa praṇāma) is highlighted—an inward act aligned with Pashupata discipline, where devotion and surrender precede external rites.