Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Devanagari script

तरक्षुश्चारुणिर्धीमांस् तथा देवः कृतंजयः ऋतंजयो भरद्वाजो गौतमः कविसत्तमः

Transliteration

tarakṣuścāruṇirdhīmāṃs tathā devaḥ kṛtaṃjayaḥ ṛtaṃjayo bharadvājo gautamaḥ kavisattamaḥ

Translation

ଏହାସହ ତରକ୍ଷୁ, ଧୀମାନ୍ ଚାରୁଣି, ଦେବ, କୃତଂଜୟ, ଋତଂଜୟ, ଭରଦ୍ୱାଜ, ଗୌତମ ଓ କବିମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ—ଏମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ (ମହର୍ଷି) ଥିଲେ।

Word by Word

• तरक्षुः: Tarakṣu (a sage)

• चारुणिः: Cāruṇi (a sage)

• धीमांस्: wise, intelligent

• तथा: and also

• देवः: Deva (a sage named Deva)

• कृतंजयः: Kṛtaṃjaya (a sage)

• ऋतंजयः: Ṛtaṃjaya (a sage)

• भरद्वाजः: Bharadvāja (the sage)

• गौतमः: Gautama (the sage)

• कविसत्तमः: the best/foremost among seers (kavi = seer/poet)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Tarakṣu
• Cāruṇi
• Deva
• Kṛtaṃjaya
• Ṛtaṃjaya
• Bharadvāja
• Gautama

FAQs

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

It establishes the authoritative rishi-lineage that preserves Śiva-centered dharma; such lists function as a sanctifying frame for Linga-pūjā teachings by rooting them in revered seers.

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

Indirectly: by presenting sages devoted to the highest truth, it implies Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord—whose realization frees the pāśu (individual soul) from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No single rite is specified; the verse supports the Pāśupata orientation—transmission through guru–ṛṣi paramparā that culminates in disciplined worship and inner yoga aimed at liberation.