Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

क्षुपदधीचिसंवादः — शिलादतपः, वरसीमा, मेघवाहनकल्पे त्रिदेवसमागमः

Devanagari script

त्वरमाणो ऽथ संगम्य ददर्श पुरुषोत्तमम् एकार्णवालये शुभ्रे त्व् अन्धकारे सुदारुणे

Transliteration

tvaramāṇo 'tha saṃgamya dadarśa puruṣottamam ekārṇavālaye śubhre tv andhakāre sudāruṇe

Translation

Pagkaraan, nagmamadaling lumapit siya at nasilayan ang Puruṣottama, ang Kataas-taasang Persona—sa tahanan ng iisang karagatang kosmiko. Bagaman ito’y isang dalisay na lawak na pinagmulan, isang kakila-kilabot na dilim ang naghahari roon.

Word by Word

• त्वरमाणः: hastening

• अथ: then

• संगम्य: having approached/coming together

• ददर्श: saw/beheld

• पुरुषोत्तमम्: the Supreme Person (highest Puruṣa, i.e., the transcendent Lord)

• एकार्णव-आलये: in the abode of the one ocean (the single primal flood)

• शुभ्रे: in the pure/bright (primal) expanse

• तु: but/indeed

• अन्धकारे: in darkness

• सुदारुणे: exceedingly dreadful/terrible

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Lord as directly knowable even in the ekārṇava (pralaya-like) condition—supporting the Linga’s meaning as the stable sign of Pati (Shiva) when all manifest forms dissolve.

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

Shiva appears as Puruṣottama—transcendent yet perceptible—present within the primal expanse beyond ordinary light and darkness, indicating Pati’s sovereignty over both manifestation and obscuration.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The emphasis is on swift approach and direct vision—suggestive of Pāśupata-style inward turning (ekāgratā leading to darśana), where the pashu seeks Pati even amid the ‘darkness’ of pāśa (bondage/obscuration).