Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

Adhyaya 23: श्वेत-लोहित-पीत-कृष्ण-विश्व-कल्पेषु रुद्रस्वरूप-गायत्री-तत्त्ववर्णनम्

Devanagari script

श्वेतकल्पो यदा ह्यासीद् अहमेव तदाभवम् श्वेतोष्णीषः श्वेतमाल्यः श्वेतांबरधरः सितः

Transliteration

śvetakalpo yadā hyāsīd ahameva tadābhavam śvetoṣṇīṣaḥ śvetamālyaḥ śvetāṃbaradharaḥ sitaḥ

Translation

ଯେତେବେଳେ ଶ୍ୱେତ-କଳ୍ପ ଆସିଲା, ସେତେବେଳେ ମୁଁ ଏକା ହିଁ ପ୍ରକଟ ହେଲି—ଶ୍ୱେତ ଉଷ୍ଣୀଷଧାରୀ, ଶ୍ୱେତ ମାଳାଧାରୀ, ଶ୍ୱେତ ବସ୍ତ୍ରଧାରୀ, ନିର୍ମଳ ଓ ଦୀପ୍ତିମାନ।

Word by Word

• śveta-kalpaḥ: the Śveta Kalpa (the ‘white’ aeon)

• yadā: when

• hi: indeed

• āsīt: existed/came into being

• aham eva: I alone (the Supreme Lord, Pati)

• tadā: then

• abhavam: I became/I manifested

• śveta-uṣṇīṣaḥ: having a white turban/diadem

• śveta-mālyaḥ: wearing a white garland

• śveta-aṃbara-dharaḥ: wearing white garments

• sitaḥ: white, luminous, pure

Speaker

Shiva (Mahadeva) speaking within Suta’s narration

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the constant Pati who manifests in every kalpa; Linga worship is therefore directed to the timeless Lord who assumes forms for the sake of creation and grace.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as self-manifesting and sovereign—‘I alone’—while the white radiance signifies sattva, purity, and the untainted reality that stands beyond pasha (bondage) affecting the pashu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights contemplative recognition (smaraṇa) of Shiva’s pure, luminous form; ritually, it supports sattvic upacāras—white offerings/cleanliness—as aids to single-pointed devotion and Pāśupata orientation toward the Pati.