Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 160

Adhyaya 70: आदिसर्गः—महत्-अहङ्कार-तन्मात्रा-भूतसृष्टिः, ब्रह्माण्डावरणम्, प्रजासर्गः, त्रिमूर्ति-शैवाधिष्ठानम्

Devanagari script

इत्येष प्राकृतः सर्गो वैकृतो नवमः स्मृतः भूतादिकानां भूतानां षष्ठः सर्गः स उच्यते

Transliteration

ityeṣa prākṛtaḥ sargo vaikṛto navamaḥ smṛtaḥ bhūtādikānāṃ bhūtānāṃ ṣaṣṭhaḥ sargaḥ sa ucyate

Translation

இவ்வாறு இது ப்ராக்ருத ஸர்க்கம் என அறிவிக்கப்படுகிறது; வைக்ருத ஸர்க்கம் ஒன்பதாம் என நினைக்கப்படுகிறது. பூதாதி முதலாக வெளிப்பட்ட பூதங்கள் வரை—இதுவே பூதங்களின் ஆறாம் ஸர்க்கம் எனப்படுகிறது.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• eṣaḥ: this

• prākṛtaḥ: primordial, arising from Prakṛti

• sargaḥ: creation, emanation

• vaikṛtaḥ: evolved, modified (from prior principles)

• navamaḥ: ninth

• smṛtaḥ: remembered, stated in tradition

• bhūtādikānām: of those beginning with bhūtādi (elemental principles)

• bhūtānām: of beings/elements

• ṣaṣṭhaḥ: sixth

• sargaḥ: creation

• saḥ: that

• ucyate: is called/said

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

By distinguishing prākṛta (root nature) and vaikṛta (evolved) creation, the verse frames the Linga as the sign of Pati (Shiva) who transcends both—making Linga worship a means to turn the mind from changing tattvas to the unchanging Lord.

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

It implies Shiva as Pati: not merely one product within creation (sarga), but the sovereign reality by whose presence Prakṛti and its modifications proceed, while He remains beyond their transformations.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports tattva-viveka used in Shaiva sadhana: discerning the evolved elements (bhūtas) from their source and resting awareness in Pati—an inner discipline aligned with Pashupata-oriented contemplation rather than a specific external rite.