Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Adhyaya 22 — शिवानुग्रहः, ब्रह्मतपः, एकादशरुद्राः तथा प्राणतत्त्वम्

Devanagari script

तस्याप्रतिमवीर्यस्य देहात्कारुण्यपूर्वकम् अथैकादश ते रुद्रा रुदन्तो ऽभ्यक्रमंस् तथा

Transliteration

tasyāpratimavīryasya dehātkāruṇyapūrvakam athaikādaśa te rudrā rudanto 'bhyakramaṃs tathā

Translation

Pagkaraan, mula sa katawan ng Yaong may lakas na walang kapantay, dahil sa habag, lumitaw ang labing-isang Rudra; at habang umiiyak nang malakas, sila’y sumulong din.

Word by Word

• tasya: of him/that one

• apratima-vīryasya: of incomparable power/valor

• dehāt: from the body

• kāruṇya-pūrvakam: preceded by compassion, out of mercy

• atha: then

• ekādaśa: eleven

• te: those

• rudrāḥ: Rudras

• rudantaḥ: crying, wailing

• abhyakramaṃs: advanced, came forward, proceeded

• tathā: likewise, in that manner

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages; internal episode describing Rudra-manifestation)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Rudra’s manifestation as arising from compassion, implying that worship of the Linga (Pati) is ultimately oriented to receiving anugraha (grace) that alleviates the pashu’s suffering and bondage.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as apratima-vīrya (unsurpassed power) yet kāruṇya (compassionate): the supreme Pati freely manifests forms (Rudras) to govern and uplift the worlds, not from necessity but from sovereign grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points more to theology than procedure, but it supports Pāśupata orientation: meditating on Rudra as compassionate Pati, whose manifestations remove pasha (bondage) and steady the pashu toward liberation.