Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

श्वेतमुनिना कालस्य निग्रहः (मृत्युञ्जय-भक्ति-प्रसादः)

Devanagari script

ततो विवेश भगवान् अनुगृह्य द्विजोत्तमम् क्षणाद्गूढशरीरं हि ध्वस्तं दृष्ट्वान्तकं क्षणात्

Transliteration

tato viveśa bhagavān anugṛhya dvijottamam kṣaṇādgūḍhaśarīraṃ hi dhvastaṃ dṛṣṭvāntakaṃ kṣaṇāt

Translation

Pagkatapos, ang Mapalad na Panginoon, matapos pagpalain ang pinakamainam sa mga dwija, ay pumasok sa pagkatago; sa isang iglap, nang masilayan si Antaka, winasak Niya ito nang lubos, habang nananatiling nakatago ang Kanyang anyo.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• viveśa: entered, withdrew/entered into (a state/place)

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord (Pati, Shiva)

• anugṛhya: having bestowed grace, favoring

• dvijottamam: the best of the twice-born (brahmin sage)

• kṣaṇāt: in an instant

• gūḍha-śarīram: having a concealed/veiled body (hidden form)

• hi: indeed

• dhvastam: shattered, annihilated

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• antakam: Antaka (death-like adversary/demon)

• kṣaṇāt: instantly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Antaka
• Dvijottama

FAQs

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

It emphasizes Shiva’s anugraha (grace) as the decisive power that protects the devotee; Linga worship is presented as aligning the pashu (soul) with Pati’s protective, liberating presence beyond visible form.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as simultaneously immanent and transcendent: He can act decisively in the world (destroying Antaka) while remaining gūḍha-śarīra (veiled/hidden), indicating supremacy beyond sensory grasp and bondage (pāśa).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to the principle behind Pashupata discipline: surrender and devotion that invite anugraha; the ‘hidden form’ also echoes yogic inwardness—seeking Pati within rather than relying only on outward display.