Shloka 16

Mahādeva’s Boon: Unwavering Bhakti, Tri-functional Cosmos, and the Supratiṣṭhā of Liṅga-Arcā

Devanagari script

लयनाल्लिङ्गमित्युक्तं तत्रैव निखिलं सुराः यस्तु लैङ्गं पठेन्नित्यम् आख्यानं लिङ्गसन्निधौ

Transliteration

layanālliṅgamityuktaṃ tatraiva nikhilaṃ surāḥ yastu laiṅgaṃ paṭhennityam ākhyānaṃ liṅgasannidhau

Translation

ലയത്തിന്റെ ആധാരമായതിനാൽ ഇതിനെ ‘ലിംഗം’ എന്നു പറയുന്നു; അവിടെയേ എല്ലാ ദേവന്മാരും അധിവസിക്കുന്നു. ലിംഗസന്നിധിയിൽ നിത്യമായി ഈ ലിംഗബന്ധിത പുണ്യാഖ്യാനം പാരായണം ചെയ്യുന്ന ഭക്തൻ ശിവകൃപയ്ക്ക് അർഹനാകുന്നു।

Word by Word

• लयनात् (layanāt): from dissolution, from absorption

• लिङ्गम् (liṅgam): the Liṅga, the mark/symbol of the Supreme (Pati)

• इति (iti): thus

• उक्तम् (uktam): is said/declared

• तत्र (tatra): there, in that (Liṅga) locus

• एव (eva): indeed

• निखिलम् (nikhilam): entire, all

• सुराः (surāḥ): the gods

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• तु (tu): but

• लैङ्गम् (laiṅgam): pertaining to the Liṅga, Liṅga-scripture/narrative

• पठेत् (paṭhet): should read/recite

• नित्यम् (nityam): daily, continually

• आख्यानम् (ākhyānam): sacred account, narrative

• लिङ्ग-सन्निधौ (liṅga-sannidhau): in the proximity/presence of the Liṅga

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It teaches that the Liṅga is the very locus of laya (cosmic dissolution/absorption) and therefore supremely sacred; daily recitation of Liṅga-related scripture in the Liṅga’s presence is presented as a direct, merit-bearing act of Liṅga-pūjā.

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

Śiva-tattva is indicated as the ground into which all returns (laya) and as the divine center where all devas are gathered—pointing to Śiva as Pati, the transcendent-immanent support of all beings and powers.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A daily discipline (nitya) of scriptural recitation (pāṭha) performed in liṅga-sannidhi—an upāsanā that aligns the paśu (soul) toward laya of pasha (bondage) through devotion and remembrance of Pati.