Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

श्वेतमुनिना कालस्य निग्रहः (मृत्युञ्जय-भक्ति-प्रसादः)

Devanagari script

अहो निरीक्ष्य चान्तकं मृतं तदा सुविस्मितः शिलाशनात्मजो ऽव्ययं शिवं प्रणम्य शङ्करम्

Transliteration

aho nirīkṣya cāntakaṃ mṛtaṃ tadā suvismitaḥ śilāśanātmajo 'vyayaṃ śivaṃ praṇamya śaṅkaram

Translation

“Ah!”—nang makita si Antaka (Kamatayan) na nakahandusay na patay, ang anak ni Śilāśana ay lubhang namangha; saka siya’y yumukod at sumamba kay Śaṅkara—si Śiva na di-nasisira, ang Pati—na may taimtim na pagpupugay.

Word by Word

• अहो: ah!

• निरीक्ष्य: having seen

• च: and

• अन्तकं: Antaka (Death personified)

• मृतं: dead, slain

• तदा: then

• सुविस्मितः: greatly amazed

• शिलाशनात्मजः: the son of Śilāśana

• अव्ययम्: imperishable, undecaying

• शिवम्: Śiva, auspicious Lord

• प्रणम्य: having bowed down

• शङ्करम्: Śaṅkara (beneficent Lord Shiva)

Speaker

Suta (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shankara
• Antaka

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the imperishable Pati who overrules even Death; such recognition is the inner basis of Linga-puja—approaching the Linga as the death-transcending reality that frees the pashu from fear and bondage.

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

Shiva is called “avyaya” (imperishable), indicating the unconditioned Lord beyond decay and dissolution; Death itself is shown as subordinate, implying Shiva-tattva as the supreme ground that governs dissolution and liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pranama (reverential surrender) is highlighted—an essential bhakti-limb aligned with Pashupata discipline, where humility and refuge in Pati loosen pasha and stabilize the pashu in fearlessness.