Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

क्षुपदधीचिसंवादः — शिलादतपः, वरसीमा, मेघवाहनकल्पे त्रिदेवसमागमः

Devanagari script

दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं तु मेघो भूत्वावहद्धरम् नारायणो महादेवं बहुमानेन सादरम्

Transliteration

divyaṃ varṣasahasraṃ tu megho bhūtvāvahaddharam nārāyaṇo mahādevaṃ bahumānena sādaram

Translation

Sa loob ng isang libong banal na taon, si Nārāyaṇa ay naging ulap ng ulan at nagbuhos ng mga agos ng tubig, na may taimtim na paggalang at dakilang pagpupugay, bilang bhakti na paglilingkod kay Mahādeva.

Word by Word

• दिव्यम्: divine

• वर्षसहस्रम्: a thousand years

• तु: indeed

• मेघः: a cloud

• भूत्वा: having become

• अवहत्/वहत्: carried, poured forth

• धरम्: water/streams (that which is borne)

• नारायणः: Narayana (Vishnu)

• महादेवम्: Mahadeva (Shiva)

• बहुमानेन: with great honor, esteem

• सादरम्: respectfully, with reverence

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Narayana
• Mahadeva

FAQs

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

It portrays prolonged abhiṣeka-like service to Mahādeva—an archetype of honoring the Liṅga through continuous, reverent offering, emphasizing worship as sustained devotion (sevā) rather than a momentary act.

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

Mahādeva is presented as the supreme Pati worthy of the highest veneration—even Nārāyaṇa serves Him—implying Shiva-tattva as the transcendent Lord who receives and sanctifies all offerings.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights abhiṣeka (ritual bathing/continuous libation) as a central pūjā-vidhi, expressing inner surrender of the paśu (soul) toward Pati, loosening pāśa (bondage) through devoted service.