Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

विशिष्टः काश्यपो भानुर् भीमो भीमपराक्रमः प्रणवः सप्तधाचारो महाकायो महाधनुः

Transliteration

viśiṣṭaḥ kāśyapo bhānur bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ praṇavaḥ saptadhācāro mahākāyo mahādhanuḥ

Translation

ସେ ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ; କାଶ୍ୟପ; ଦୀପ୍ତିମାନ ଭାନୁ; ଭୀମ, ଭୀମପରାକ୍ରମ। ସେ ପ୍ରଣବ (ଓଁ); ସପ୍ତଧା ଆଚାରର ଅଧିପତି; ମହାକାୟ, ମହାଧନୁଧାରୀ—ପଶୁର ପାଶଛେଦକ ମହାଦେବ।

Word by Word

• विशिष्टः (viśiṣṭaḥ): the distinguished, supremely excellent

• काश्यपः (kāśyapaḥ): Kāśyapa (seer/primordial progenitor aspect)

• भानुः (bhānuḥ): the radiant one, sun-like illuminator

• भीमः (bhīmaḥ): the terrible, awe-inspiring

• भीमपराक्रमः (bhīmaparākramaḥ): of fearsome valor/power

• प्रणवः (praṇavaḥ): the sacred syllable Oṁ, the primal vibration

• सप्तधाचारः (saptadhācāraḥ): whose discipline/conduct is sevenfold, master of seven modes of right order

• महाकायः (mahākāyaḥ): of immense body, all-pervading form

• महाधनुः (mahādhanuḥ): bearer of the great bow, supreme archer-power

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s names to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It functions as a Sahasranama-style dhyāna: by reciting these epithets while worshipping the Linga, the devotee contemplates Shiva as Pati—radiant, awe-inspiring, and the primal Om—thereby loosening pāśas (bondages) that limit the paśu (individual soul).

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

Shiva is presented as both transcendent and immanent: the Pranava (source of mantra and consciousness), Bhānu (inner light that reveals truth), and Mahākāya (all-pervading magnitude), while also being Bhīma—His power that destroys ignorance and protects dharma.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nāma-japa and Om-centered contemplation: meditating on Shiva as Praṇava and as the sevenfold-ordered Lord (saptadhācāra) aligns the practitioner with Pāśupata discipline—purifying conduct and directing awareness toward liberation.