Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

तपसा विद्यया वापि योगेनेह वद प्रभो सूत उवाच निशम्य वचनं तस्यास् तथा ह्यालोक्य पार्वतीम्

Transliteration

tapasā vidyayā vāpi yogeneha vada prabho sūta uvāca niśamya vacanaṃ tasyās tathā hyālokya pārvatīm

Translation

“O Panginoon, sabihin Mo rito—sa pamamagitan ba ng pagtitika (tapas), ng banal na kaalaman (vidyā), o ng yoga nakakamit ang Kataas-taasan?” wika niya. Sinabi ni Sūta: Nang marinig ang kanyang mga salita at pagmasdan si Pārvatī, (ang Panginoon) ay naghanda nang sumagot.

Word by Word

• तपसा: by tapas/austerity

• विद्यया: by vidyā/spiritual knowledge

• वा अपि: or even/also

• योगेन: by yoga (discipline of union)

• इह: here/in this context

• वद: speak/tell

• प्रभो: O Lord (Pati)

• सूत उवाच: Sūta said

• निशम्य: having heard

• वचनम्: the statement/words

• तस्याः: of her

• तथा हि: thus indeed

• आलोक्य: having looked upon

• पार्वतीम्: Pārvatī

Speaker

Suta (narrator), quoting Parvati’s request within the narrative

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Parvati
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-upāsanā as not merely external ritual but as a triad of disciplines—tapas (purification), vidyā (right knowledge), and yoga (inner union)—through which the paśu moves toward Pati.

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

Shiva is addressed as “Prabhu” (Lord/Pati), implying the supreme ruler and liberator who can be approached through disciplined means that dissolve pāśa (bondage) and mature the soul toward grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights a Pāśupata-aligned pathway: tapas for purification, vidyā for correct metaphysical insight, and yoga for steady contemplation—supporting both Linga-pūjā externally and absorption into Shiva internally.