Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

भुवनकोशस्वभाववर्णनम् — सप्तद्वीप-पर्वत-लोकविन्यासः तथा यक्ष-उमा-प्रकाशः

Devanagari script

तत्र साक्षाद्वृषाङ्कस्तु विश्वेशो विमलः शिवः सोमः सनन्दी भगवान् आस्ते हेमगृहोत्तमे

Transliteration

tatra sākṣādvṛṣāṅkastu viśveśo vimalaḥ śivaḥ somaḥ sanandī bhagavān āste hemagṛhottame

Translation

Doon, tunay ngang ang Panginoong may watawat na Toro—si Viśveśa, ang dalisay na Śiva na walang dungis—si Bhagavān Soma, na may kasamang Nandī, ay nananahan nang tuwiran sa pinakadakilang palasyong ginto.

Word by Word

• तत्र (tatra): there

• साक्षात् (sākṣāt): directly, in manifest presence

• वृषाङ्कः (vṛṣāṅkaḥ): the Bull-emblemed one (Shiva with the bull as his mark/banner)

• तु (tu): indeed

• विश्वेशः (viśveśaḥ): Lord of the universe

• विमलः (vimalaḥ): stainless, pure

• शिवः (śivaḥ): Shiva, the auspicious Lord

• सोमः (somaḥ): Soma (a name/epithet associated with Shiva as the lunar, nectarous Lord)

• स-नन्दी (sa-nandī): together with Nandī

• भगवान् (bhagavān): the Blessed Lord, the Supreme Pati

• आस्ते (āste): dwells, sits, abides

• हेम-गृह-उत्तमे (hema-gṛha-uttame): in the सर्वोत्तम golden mansion/palace

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi
• Soma

FAQs

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

It emphasizes Shiva as sākṣāt—directly present—indicating that Linga-worship is not mere symbolism but a means to approach the living Pati who truly abides and grants grace.

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

Shiva is portrayed as Viśveśa (Lord of all), Vimala (untainted by mala/bondage), and Bhagavān—the supreme Pati distinct from pashu (bound souls) and pasha (bonds), yet accessible through divine presence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies darśana and upāsanā: approaching Shiva’s abode with Nandī-like devotion—purity, steadiness, and attendance—central to Pāśupata-oriented worship and contemplative proximity to the Lord.