Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

उमास्वयंवरः / भवोद्वाहः, गणसमागमः, अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम्, तथा विनायक-उत्पत्तिसूचना

Devanagari script

पञ्चभिश् च कपालीशः षड्भिः संदारकः शुभः कोटिकोटिभिर् एवेह गण्डकः कुंभकस् तथा

Transliteration

pañcabhiś ca kapālīśaḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ saṃdārakaḥ śubhaḥ koṭikoṭibhir eveha gaṇḍakaḥ kuṃbhakas tathā

Translation

Sa limang anyo, Siya’y pinupuri bilang Kapālīśa, ang Panginoong may tangan ng bungo; sa anim, bilang mapalad na Saṃdāraka, ang nag-aalis ng mga pighati. At sa di-mabilang na koti-koti ng pagpapakita rito, Siya’y kilala rin bilang Gaṇḍaka at Kumbhaka—ang may kapangyarihang maglaman, magpanatili, at magtipon ng lahat sa Kanyang Sarili.

Word by Word

• पञ्चभिः: with five (modes/forms)

• च: and

• कपालीशः: Kapālīśa, Lord bearing a skull (ascetic Shiva)

• षड्भिः: with six (modes/forms)

• संदारकः: Saṃdāraka, destroyer/remover (of obstacles/afflictions)

• शुभः: auspicious, beneficent

• कोटिकोटिभिः: by crores upon crores (countless)

• एव: indeed

• इह: here (in this world/teaching)

• गण्डकः: Gaṇḍaka (a name/epithet of Shiva, the powerful one)

• कुंभकः: Kumbhaka (the one who contains/holds

• तथा: and also

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as devotion to the one Pati (Shiva) who appears through specific counted forms (five, six) and also as limitless manifestations, affirming that the Linga signifies the infinite Lord beyond enumeration.

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

Shiva is presented as both definable through sacred epithets and ultimately immeasurable—known by particular aspects (Kapālīśa, Saṃdāraka) yet transcending all limits through ‘crores upon crores’ of forms, the sovereign Pati over all pashus.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Sahasranama-style nāma-japa and stotra-recitation are implied; the epithet “Kumbhaka” also resonates with yogic ‘holding/retention,’ pointing to inner containment and steadiness aligned with Pāśupata discipline.