Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

विनायकोत्पत्तिः / ताण्डव-प्रसङ्गः (दारुक-वधः, काली-उत्पत्तिः, क्षेत्रपालोत्पत्तिः)

Devanagari script

एकेनांशेन देवेशं प्रविष्टा देवसत्तमम् न विवेद तदा ब्रह्मा देवाश्चेन्द्रपुरोगमाः

Transliteration

ekenāṃśena deveśaṃ praviṣṭā devasattamam na viveda tadā brahmā devāścendrapurogamāḥ

Translation

Sa pamamagitan lamang ng isang munting bahagi ng Kanyang kapangyarihan, pumasok sila sa Panginoon ng mga Deva; ngunit hindi nila Siya maunawaan—ni si Brahmā ni ang mga Deva na pinangungunahan ni Indra ay nakakita sa Kataas-taasang Diyos ayon sa Kanyang tunay na kalikasan.

Word by Word

• एकेनांशेन: by one portion/fragment (of power)

• देवेशम्: the Lord of the gods

• प्रविष्टाः: having entered/merged into

• देवसत्तमम्: the best of the gods, the Supreme Deva

• न: not

• विवेद: knew, realized, comprehended

• तदा: then

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā

• देवाः च: and the gods

• इन्द्रपुरोगमाः: led by Indra

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages; describing Brahma and the Devas’ experience)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Indra
• Devas

FAQs

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

It establishes that Shiva (Pati) is not grasped by mere entry into a partial manifestation; Linga worship trains the devotee to approach the transcendent Lord through disciplined reverence, not through pride of status or intellect.

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

Shiva is portrayed as the Supreme Deva whose reality remains beyond Brahmā and the Devas when approached only through a limited portion (aṁśa). This aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta: Pati is ultimately beyond the reach of conditioned knowers (pashu) bound by pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway supports Pashupata Yoga and Shaiva puja: realization of Shiva requires full surrender, purification, and grace—not merely contact with a fragmentary power or a partial theophany.