Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

Adhyaya 33: Pashupata Conduct, Bhasma-Vrata, and Shiva’s Boon to the Sages

Devanagari script

युगे युगे महायोगी क्रीडते भस्मगुण्ठितः एवं चरत भद्रं वस् ततः सिद्धिमवाप्स्यथ

Transliteration

yuge yuge mahāyogī krīḍate bhasmaguṇṭhitaḥ evaṃ carata bhadraṃ vas tataḥ siddhimavāpsyatha

Translation

Sa bawat panahon, ang Dakilang Yogin (Śiva) ay naglalaro sa banal na lila, ang Kanyang katawan ay nababalutan ng sagradong abo. Mamuhay at magsanay sa ganitong paraan—nawa’y mapasainyo ang pagpapala—at saka ninyo makakamtan ang siddhi (tagumpay na espirituwal).

Word by Word

• युगे युगे: in every yuga/age

• महायोगी: the Great Yogin (Śiva)

• क्रीडते: plays, sports, moves freely

• भस्मगुण्ठितः: covered/smeared with bhasma (sacred ash)

• एवं: thus, in this manner

• चरत: practice, conduct yourselves, live

• भद्रं वः: auspiciousness to you / may you be blessed

• ततः: thereafter, then

• सिद्धिम्: siddhi, spiritual attainment

• अवाप्स्यथ: you will obtain, you shall attain

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s Pāśupata-oriented teaching as preserved in the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames bhasma-dhāraṇa (wearing sacred ash) as a Shaiva identity-marker and inner discipline that supports Linga-upāsanā by turning the worshipper toward renunciation, purity, and devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

Śiva is presented as Mahāyogī—free, self-luminous, and untouched—yet compassionately accessible through visible yogic signs like bhasma, guiding the paśu (soul) beyond pāśa (bondage) toward siddhi.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Bhasma-guṇṭhana/bhasma-dhāraṇa—smearing the body with sacred ash—paired with living a Pāśupata-style conduct (ācāra) that culminates in spiritual siddhi.