Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

विष्णुरुवाच—एकाक्षर-प्रणव-लिङ्ग-व्याप्ति-शिवस्तोत्रम्

Devanagari script

नमो भगवते तुभ्यं नागानां पतये नमः ओङ्काराय नमस्तुभ्यं सर्वज्ञाय नमो नमः

Transliteration

namo bhagavate tubhyaṃ nāgānāṃ pataye namaḥ oṅkārāya namastubhyaṃ sarvajñāya namo namaḥ

Translation

ହେ ଭଗବାନ, ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ନମସ୍କାର; ନାଗମାନଙ୍କ ପତିଙ୍କୁ ନମସ୍କାର। ଓଂକାରସ୍ୱରୂପ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ନମସ୍କାର; ସର୍ବଜ୍ଞ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କୁ ପୁନଃପୁନଃ ପ୍ରଣାମ।

Word by Word

• namo: salutations

• bhagavate: to the Blessed Lord (Bhagavān)

• tubhyam: to You

• nāgānām: of the nāgas/serpents

• pataye: to the Lord/Master (Pati)

• namaḥ: salutation

• oṅkārāya: to Oṃkāra (the syllable Oṃ as Brahman/Śiva)

• namas: salutation

• sarvajñāya: to the omniscient one (all-knowing)

• namo namaḥ: repeated salutations, again and again

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating a stuti within the Purāṇic dialogue)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-pūjā as mantra-centered devotion by saluting Śiva as Oṃkāra itself—indicating that worship of the Linga is worship of the supreme sound-principle (Praṇava) and the Lord who transcends form while accepting form.

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

Śiva is presented as Pati (the sovereign Lord) and Sarvajña (omniscient), affirming Shaiva Siddhānta’s distinction: the Pati is the supreme knower and ruler, distinct from the bound pashu (soul) and the pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Praṇava-japa (repetition/meditation on Oṃ) is implied as a core practice—an inner worship that aligns the pashu toward the Pati, supporting Pāśupata-oriented discipline alongside external Linga-pūjā.