Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

Bhūtavana–Kailāsa–Mandākinī–Rudrapurī: Śiva’s Jeweled Abodes and Perpetual Worship

Devanagari script

देवदानवगन्धर्वैर् यक्षराक्षसकिन्नरैः उपस्पृष्टजला पुण्या नदी मन्दाकिनी शुभा

Transliteration

devadānavagandharvair yakṣarākṣasakinnaraiḥ upaspṛṣṭajalā puṇyā nadī mandākinī śubhā

Translation

Mapalad at banal ang ilog Mandākinī—ang kanyang tubig ay nahipo at napabanal ng mga Deva, Dānava, Gandharva, Yakṣa, Rākṣasa, at Kinnara. Kaya siya’y nagiging tagapaglinis para sa paśu (kaluluwang nakagapos) na nagnanais kumawala sa pāśa sa pamamagitan ng bhakti sa Pati, si Śiva.

Word by Word

• देव (deva): god

• दानव (dānava): titan/demon clan

• गन्धर्व (gandharva): celestial musician

• यक्ष (yakṣa): nature-spirit/guardian being

• राक्षस (rākṣasa): demon/ogre

• किन्नर (kinnara): celestial being (half-human)

• उपस्पृष्ट (upaspṛṣṭa): touched/come into contact with

• जल (jala): water

• पुण्य (puṇya): holy/merit-giving

• नदी (nadī): river

• मन्दाकिनी (mandākinī): the Mandakini river

• शुभ (śubha): auspicious

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Danavas
• Gandharvas
• Yakshas
• Rakshasas
• Kinnaras
• Mandakini

FAQs

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

It establishes Mandākinī as a śuddhi-tīrtha (purifying sacred water) suitable for Śiva-pūjā—water sanctified by many orders of beings is deemed especially fit for abhiṣeka and ritual purification.

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

By highlighting a universally revered tīrtha, it implies Śiva’s Pati-status: all beings—celestial, terrestrial, and even fearsome classes—converge upon what supports devotion to Him, indicating His transcendence over all categories.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tīrtha-snāna and pūjā-upacāra (ritual use of sacred water) are implied—using sanctified water for inner and outer purification as a support for Pāśupata-oriented discipline and Śiva-bhakti.