Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

प्रसाद-ज्ञान-योग-मोक्षक्रमः तथा व्यास-रुद्रावतार-मन्वन्तर-परम्परा

Devanagari script

वैवस्वतश् च सावर्णिर् धर्मः सावर्णिकः पुनः पिशङ्गश्चापिशङ्गाभः शबलो वर्णकस् तथा

Transliteration

vaivasvataś ca sāvarṇir dharmaḥ sāvarṇikaḥ punaḥ piśaṅgaścāpiśaṅgābhaḥ śabalo varṇakas tathā

Translation

കൂടാതെ വൈവസ്വതനും സാവർണി; പിന്നെയും ധർമ്മനും വീണ്ടും സാവർണികനും; പിശംഗനും അപിശംഗാഭനും; ശബലനും വർണകനും (മനുക്കളായി) പ്രസിദ്ധരാണ്.

Word by Word

• vaivasvataḥ: Vaivasvata (name/title, associated with the Vaivasvata manvantara)

• ca: and

• sāvarṇiḥ: Sāvarṇi (a Manu/lineage designation)

• dharmaḥ: Dharma (personified righteousness, cosmic regulator)

• sāvarṇikaḥ: Sāvarṇika (connected with Sāvarṇi line)

• punaḥ: again/further

• piśaṅgaḥ: Piśaṅga (tawny/golden-hued, a proper name)

• ca api: and also

• piśaṅgābhaḥ: Piśaṅgābha (one whose appearance is tawny/golden, proper name)

• śabalaḥ: Śabala (variegated/mottled, proper name)

• varṇakaḥ: Varṇaka (having color/complexion, proper name)

• tathā: likewise/so too

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Dharma

FAQs

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

It situates Linga worship within a cosmological framework: the ordered succession of time-cycles and rulers is upheld by Dharma, ultimately dependent on Pati (Shiva) as the ground of cosmic order.

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

Indirectly: by listing cosmic regulators and lineages, it implies that all such offices function within Shiva’s sovereignty—Pati remains the transcendent support while dharma and manvantara rulers operate as contingent instruments.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is stated; the takeaway is dharma-alignment—Pashupata discipline begins with ordering the pashu’s conduct (dharma) to weaken pāśa (bondage) and orient life toward Shiva.