Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

देवदारुवनौकसां प्रति ब्रह्मोपदेशः—लिङ्गलक्षण-प्रतिष्ठा-विधिः, शिवमायारूपदर्शनं, स्तुतिः

Devanagari script

दन्तोलूखलिनस्त्वन्ये अश्मकुट्टास् तथा परे स्थानवीरासनास्त्वन्ये मृगचर्यारताः परे

Transliteration

dantolūkhalinastvanye aśmakuṭṭās tathā pare sthānavīrāsanāstvanye mṛgacaryāratāḥ pare

Translation

May ilang ascetic na Śaiva ang nabubuhay sa pagkaing giniling ng sarili nilang ngipin; ang iba nama’y dinudurog sa bato. May ilan na nananatiling nakatayo at nakaupo sa vīrāsana; at may ilan na nalulugod sa pagtalima ng paglalakad na gaya ng usa—bawat isa’y nagsasagawa ng pag-aayuno at pagdurusa para kay Pati, Panginoong Śiva, tagapagpalaya ng paśu mula sa pāśa.

Word by Word

• दन्त-उलूखलिनः: those who use the teeth as a mortar (grinding with the teeth)

• तु: and/indeed

• अन्ये: others

• अश्म-कुट्टाः: those who pound/crush with stones

• तथा: likewise

• परे: others

• स्थान: standing posture/remaining standing

• वीरासनाः: those seated in vīrāsana (heroic posture)

• तु: and/indeed

• अन्ये: others

• मृग-चर्या: the ‘deer-like’ mode of conduct (moving/roaming like a deer)

• रताः: devoted/delighting

• परे: others

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It shows that devotion to Śiva (Pati) is supported by many legitimate disciplines—dietary austerity, bodily restraint, and vowed conduct—through which the worshipper purifies the paśu (individual soul) and becomes fit for Śiva’s grace.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the supreme Lord who accepts diverse forms of tapas and inner discipline, and who alone can sever pāśa (bondage) when the aspirant’s conduct becomes steady and surrendered.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights ascetic vrata-practices and yogic steadiness: standing austerities, vīrāsana, and a ‘deer-like’ wandering observance—modes associated with Pāśupata-style discipline and sense-control.