Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

उपमन्युरिति ख्यातो मुनिश् च द्विजसत्तमाः कुमार इव तेजस्वी क्रीडमानो यदृच्छया

Transliteration

upamanyuriti khyāto muniś ca dvijasattamāḥ kumāra iva tejasvī krīḍamāno yadṛcchayā

Translation

Siya’y tanyag sa pangalang Upamanyu—isang dakilang muni sa hanay ng pinakamainam na mga dwija—nagniningning na tila batang lalaki, malayang gumagala at naglalaro ayon sa sariling kalooban.

Word by Word

• उपमन्युः (Upamanyuḥ): Upamanyu

• इति (iti): thus

• ख्यातः (khyātaḥ): renowned/known

• मुनिः (muniḥ): sage

• च (ca): and

• द्विज-सत्तमाः (dvija-sattamāḥ): O best among the twice-born (address/vocative)

• कुमारः इव (kumāra iva): like a youth/boy

• तेजस्वी (tejasvī): radiant, powerful in spiritual splendor

• क्रीडमानः (krīḍamānaḥ): playing/roaming, sporting

• यदृच्छया (yadṛcchayā): by chance, spontaneously/of his own will

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Upamanyu

FAQs

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

It introduces the sage Upamanyu, a key Shaiva rishi whose presence typically signals the transmission of Shiva-bhakti and Linga-centered observances through an authoritative lineage.

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

Indirectly, by portraying Upamanyu as tejasvī (radiant), it echoes Shaiva Siddhanta’s view that devotion to Pati (Shiva) awakens spiritual tejas in the pashu (soul), loosening pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No explicit rite is stated in this verse; it functions as a narrative setup commonly preceding Shaiva instruction—often Pashupata-oriented discipline and Linga-puja teaching in the subsequent passages.