Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

अध्याय १०१: हैमवती-तपः, तारकवंश-उत्पातः, स्कन्द-प्रत्याशा, मदनदहनम्

Devanagari script

देवेन्द्रप्रमुखाञ्जित्वा देवान्देवेश्वरेश्वरः वारयामास तैर् देवान् सर्वलोकेषु मायया

Transliteration

devendrapramukhāñjitvā devāndeveśvareśvaraḥ vārayāmāsa tair devān sarvalokeṣu māyayā

Translation

Nang mapasuko Niya ang mga Deva na pinangungunahan ni Indra, ang Kataas-taasang Panginoon—si Īśvara, Panginoon ng mga panginoon ng mga diyos—ay sa Kanyang māyā pinigil ang mga Deva sa lahat ng daigdig, at ginawa silang kasangkapan ng pagpipigil.

Word by Word

• देवेन्द्र-प्रमुखान्: Indra and the other leaders

• जित्वा: having conquered/subdued

• देवान्: the Devas

• देव-ईश्वर-ईश्वरः: the Lord over even the Lord of the gods (the Supreme Īśvara, Shiva)

• वारयामास: restrained, held back, prevented

• तैः: by them/through them

• देवान्: the Devas (again, as those being restrained/checked)

• सर्व-लोकेषु: in all worlds

• मायया: by māyā (divine power of concealment and regulation)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Indra
• Devas

FAQs

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

It establishes Shiva as Deveśvareśvara—the supreme Pati—whose māyā governs even the Devas; Linga worship aligns the pashu (soul) with that highest Lord beyond all subordinate powers.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as sovereign and regulatory: He subdues and restrains through māyā, indicating lordship over both conquest (nigraha) and order across all lokas, not limited by deva-status.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is Pāśupata discipline: recognizing māyā as pasha (bond) under Shiva’s control, the practitioner cultivates surrender and detachment, seeking Shiva’s anugraha rather than deva-dependent attainments.