Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

आस्थायैवं हि शक्रस्य स्वरूपं परमेश्वरः जगामानुग्रहं कर्तुम् उपमन्योस् तदाश्रमम्

Transliteration

āsthāyaivaṃ hi śakrasya svarūpaṃ parameśvaraḥ jagāmānugrahaṃ kartum upamanyos tadāśramam

Translation

Kaya nito, ang Kataas-taasang Panginoon na si Parameśvara ay nag-anyong Śakra (Indra) at nagtungo sa ermitanyo ni Upamanyu upang magpababa ng biyaya.

Word by Word

• आस्थाय (āsthāya): having assumed/taken on

• एवम् (evaṃ): thus

• हि (hi): indeed

• शक्रस्य (śakrasya): of Śakra/Indra

• स्वरूपम् (svarūpam): form/appearance

• परमेश्वरः (parameśvaraḥ): the Supreme Lord (Śiva as Pati)

• जगाम (jagāma): went

• अनुग्रहम् (anugraham): grace/favor

• कर्तुम् (kartum): to do/to bestow

• उपमन्योः (upamanyoḥ): of Upamanyu

• तदा (tadā): then

• आश्रमम् (āśramam): hermitage

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages, with the episode describing Shiva’s action)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Indra
• Upamanyu

FAQs

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

It highlights that the fruit of worship is ultimately Shiva’s anugraha (grace): the Pati personally approaches the Pashu (soul) and uplifts him, even by adopting a form suited to the devotee’s situation.

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

Shiva is Parameśvara—the sovereign Pati—free to assume any form without limitation, acting out of compassion to loosen pāśa (bondage) and bring the devotee toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes anugraha as the culmination of sādhana: disciplined devotion (bhakti) and Pāśupata-oriented practice mature when the Lord actively intervenes to guide the seeker.