Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

क्षुपस्य विष्णुदर्शनं, वैष्णवस्तोत्रं, दधीचविवादः, स्थानेश्वरतीर्थमाहात्म्यं

Devanagari script

दिव्यं त्रिशूलम् अभवत् कालाग्निसदृशप्रभम् दग्धुं देवान्मतिं चक्रे युगान्ताग्निरिवापरः

Transliteration

divyaṃ triśūlam abhavat kālāgnisadṛśaprabham dagdhuṃ devānmatiṃ cakre yugāntāgnirivāparaḥ

Translation

Isang banal na trisula ang nagpakita, nagliliyab na tulad ng Apoy ni Kāla. At may isa pa, gaya ng apoy sa wakas ng yugto, na nagpasya na sunugin ang mga diyos—ipinamalas ang mapanlusaw na kapangyarihang sa huli’y si Pati (Śiva) lamang ang tunay na naghahari.

Word by Word

• दिव्यम्: divine, celestial

• त्रिशूलम्: trident (Śiva’s weapon)

• अभवत्: came into being, manifested

• कालाग्नि-सदृश-प्रभम्: having splendor like the Time-Fire (cosmic consuming fire)

• दग्धुम्: to burn, to consume

• देवान्: the gods (devas)

• मतिम्: thought, intention, resolve

• चक्रे: made, formed

• युगान्त-अग्निः: the fire at the end of an age (yuga)

• इव: like

• अपरः: another (being/force), a second one

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Trishula
• Devas
• Kala-agni
• Yuganta-agni

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva’s sovereignty as Pati: even devas are not ultimate; the Linga signifies the Lord beyond time, whose power can withdraw the cosmos like yugānta-agni.

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

By invoking kālāgni and yugānta-agni imagery, it points to Śiva-tattva as the supreme regulator of time and dissolution—terrifying to limited beings, yet the final authority over creation and withdrawal.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily teaches tattva: recognizing Pati’s supremacy over pasha-bound powers; in Pāśupata-oriented practice, it supports vairāgya and surrender (śaraṇāgati) to Śiva as the only refuge beyond kala.