Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

रक्तकल्पे वामदेवदर्शनं चतुर्कुमारोत्पत्तिः

Devanagari script

वामदेवं ततो ब्रह्मा ब्रह्म वै समचिन्तयत् तथा स्तुतो महादेवो ब्रह्मणा परमेश्वरः

Transliteration

vāmadevaṃ tato brahmā brahma vai samacintayat tathā stuto mahādevo brahmaṇā parameśvaraḥ

Translation

Pagkaraan, pinagmuni-muni ni Brahmā si Vāmadeva—ang Kataas-taasang Brahman mismo. Kaya’t pinuri ni Brahmā ang Paramēśvara, si Mahādeva, kinikilalang Siya ang Pati, ang Panginoong higit sa lahat ng kaayusang nilikha.

Word by Word

• वामदेवम्: Vāmadeva (the auspicious, left-faced form of Śiva)

• ततः: then

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā

• ब्रह्म: the Supreme Brahman/Absolute

• वै: indeed

• समचिन्तयत्: contemplated, meditated upon

• तथा: thus

• स्तुतः: praised

• महादेवः: Mahādeva (Great God, Śiva)

• ब्रह्मणा: by Brahmā

• परमेश्वरः: Paramēśvara (Supreme Lord)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating; internal action of Brahma is described)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Vamadeva
• Mahadeva
• Parameshvara

FAQs

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

It frames Brahmā’s approach as inner contemplation and praise of Śiva as the Supreme, establishing that true Linga-devotion begins with recognizing Mahādeva as Paramēśvara beyond the created cosmos.

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

Śiva appears as Vāmadeva identified with Brahman, yet also as Paramēśvara—the Pati who transcends and governs all tattvas, while Brahmā remains within the sphere of creation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dhyāna (contemplative meditation) followed by stuti (hymnic praise)—a classic Pāśupata-aligned sequence where focused awareness precedes devotional utterance.