Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

भयात्तस्मान्महाभाग बृहद्युद्धे बृहस्पते अनिकेता भ्रमन्त्येते शकुन्ता इव पञ्जरे

Transliteration

bhayāttasmānmahābhāga bṛhadyuddhe bṛhaspate aniketā bhramantyete śakuntā iva pañjare

Translation

Kaya nga, O mapalad—O Bṛhaspati—dahil sa takot sa dakilang digmaang ito, ang mga nilalang na ito, walang masisilungan at walang masandigan, ay pagala-gala na parang mga ibong nakulong sa hawla. Sa pagkaunawang Śaiva, ang ganitong paglalagalag sa pangamba ay larawan ng paśu na nakagapos sa pāśa, hanggang sa sumilong sa Pati, kay Panginoong Śiva, ang tanging nagbibigay ng kawalang-takot.

Word by Word

• भयात् (bhayāt): from fear

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore/from that cause

• महाभाग (mahābhāga): O greatly fortunate one

• बृहद्युद्धे (bṛhad-yuddhe): in the great battle

• बृहस्पते (bṛhaspate): O Bṛhaspati

• अनिकेताः (aniketāḥ): without a home/shelter

• भ्रमन्ति (bhramanti): they wander/roam

• एते (ete): these (beings)

• शकुन्ताः (śakuntāḥ): birds

• इव (iva): like/as if

• पञ्जरे (pañjare): in a cage

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal dialogue addressed to Bṛhaspati)

Characters & Entities

• Brihaspati

FAQs

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

It frames fear and homelessness as symptoms of bondage (pāśa); Linga worship is presented as taking refuge in Pati (Śiva), the source of abhaya, stabilizing the pashu from restless wandering.

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

By implication it contrasts the fearful, shelterless condition of bound beings with the Śiva-principle as the ultimate refuge—Pati—who grants protection and fearlessness beyond worldly conflict.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline: seeking śaraṇāgati (refuge) in Śiva through steady worship and inner recollection, replacing fear-driven roaming with grounded devotion and awareness.