Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

योजनानां सहस्राणि ऊर्ध्वं पञ्चाशदुच्छ्रितः तावदेव तु विस्तीर्णः पार्श्वतः परिमण्डलः

Transliteration

yojanānāṃ sahasrāṇi ūrdhvaṃ pañcāśaducchritaḥ tāvadeva tu vistīrṇaḥ pārśvataḥ parimaṇḍalaḥ

Translation

Umakyat ito nang limampung libong yojana, at gayon din ang sukat ng lapad; sa mga gilid ay ganap na bilog—isang di-masusukat na tanda ng Pati (Śiva) na lumalampas sa hangganang abot ng pashu (sariling kaluluwa) na nakagapos ng pāśa.

Word by Word

• yojanānām: of yojanas (units of distance)

• sahasrāṇi: thousands

• ūrdhvam: upward

• pañcāśat: fifty

• ucchritaḥ: risen, elevated

• tāvat eva: of the same extent

• tu: indeed

• vistīrṇaḥ: expanded, broad

• pārśvataḥ: on the sides, laterally

• parimaṇḍalaḥ: perfectly circular, round all around

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, recounting the cosmic Linga manifestation)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga (Jyotirliṅga-stambha)

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as a cosmic, infinite sign (liṅga) of Śiva—worship is directed not to a mere object but to Pati’s boundless presence that transcends measurable limits.

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

By depicting an immeasurably vast, perfectly formed pillar, it indicates Śiva as Pati—limitless, all-pervading, and beyond the finite grasp of the pashu constrained by pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā is implied: meditating on the Linga-stambha’s immeasurable height and perfect circularity to dissolve egoic limitation and orient the pashu toward Pati in Pāśupata-style devotion.