Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

लिङ्गार्चनविधिक्रमः—शुद्धि, न्यास, आसनकल्पना, अभिषेक, स्तोत्र-प्रदक्षिणा

Adhyaya 27

Devanagari script

सूत्रे नमः शिवायेति छन्दांसि परमे शुभे मन्त्राणि सूक्ष्मरूपेण संस्थितानि यतस्ततः

Transliteration

sūtre namaḥ śivāyeti chandāṃsi parame śubhe mantrāṇi sūkṣmarūpeṇa saṃsthitāni yatastataḥ

Translation

‘நமः சிவாய’ எனும் மந்திர-சூத்திரத்தில் பரம மங்களத் தத்துவத்தில் வேதச் சந்தங்கள் நிலைபெற்றுள்ளன; மந்திரங்கள் நுண்ணுருவில் எங்கும், எல்லாத் திசைகளிலிருந்தும் எழுந்து நிலை கொண்டுள்ளன।

Word by Word

• सूत्रे: in the thread/cord (sutra, the mantra-thread)

• नमः शिवाय: “obeisance to Śiva”

• इति: thus

• छन्दांसि: Vedic metres (chandas)

• परमे: in the supreme

• शुभे: auspicious (principle/state)

• मन्त्राणि: mantras

• सूक्ष्म-रूपेण: in subtle form

• संस्थितानि: established/abiding

• यतः-ततः: from wherever, from all sides/everywhere

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames “Namaḥ Śivāya” as the mantra-thread (sūtra) that holds and activates Vedic chandas and mantras, supporting Linga-pūjā as a Veda-rooted, subtle (sūkṣma) practice rather than mere external ritual.

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

Śiva-tattva is presented as “parama śubha” (supremely auspicious reality) in which mantra and metre rest subtly and pervasively—indicating Pati (Śiva) as the all-pervading ground that empowers sacred sound.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Japa of “Namaḥ Śivāya” with an understanding of mantra’s subtle pervasion—supporting Pāśupata-oriented inner discipline where sound (mantra) loosens pāśa (bondage) and steadies the paśu (soul) in Pati.