Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 146

ध्यानयोगेन रुद्रदर्शनम् — रुद्रावतार-परिवर्तक्रमः, लकुली (कायावतार), पाशुपतयोगः, लिङ्गार्चन-निष्ठा

Devanagari script

पूजाप्रकरणं तस्मै तमालोक्याह शङ्करः भवान्नारायणश्चैव शक्रः साक्षात्सुरोत्तमः

Transliteration

pūjāprakaraṇaṃ tasmai tamālokyāha śaṅkaraḥ bhavānnārāyaṇaścaiva śakraḥ sākṣātsurottamaḥ

Translation

Nang siya’y makita at upang ituro ang wastong paraan ng pagsamba, nagsalita si Śaṅkara: “Ikaw nga ay si Nārāyaṇa, at ikaw rin si Śakra (Indra)—hayag bilang pinakadakila sa mga diyos.”

Word by Word

• pūjā-prakaraṇam: the procedure/topic of worship

• tasmai: to him

• tam: him

• ālokya: having seen/observed

• āha: said

• śaṅkaraḥ: Śaṅkara (Śiva)

• bhavān: you (honorific)

• nārāyaṇaḥ: Nārāyaṇa (Viṣṇu as the supreme pervader)

• ca eva: and indeed

• śakraḥ: Śakra (Indra)

• sākṣāt: directly, manifestly

• sura-uttamaḥ: the best/foremost among the gods

Speaker

Shiva (Shankara)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu (Narayana)
• Indra (Shakra)

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as the authoritative revealer of pūjā-vidhi, indicating that correct worship is transmitted by Pati (Śiva) himself and is not merely a social custom.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as the power that recognizes and discloses divine identity—Śaṅkara can reveal the same supreme divinity appearing as Nārāyaṇa and as Śakra, pointing to a unity beyond limited deva-forms.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pūjā-prakaraṇa (the structured method of worship) is highlighted—implying disciplined external worship that supports inner purification of the paśu (soul) for release from pāśa (bondage) under the guidance of Pati.