Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59

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

Devanagari script

तां शक्रमुख्या बहुशोभमानाम् उमामजां हैमवतीमपृच्छन् /* किमेतदीशे बहुशोभमाने वांबिके यक्षवपुश्चकास्ति

Transliteration

tāṃ śakramukhyā bahuśobhamānām umāmajāṃ haimavatīmapṛcchan /* kimetadīśe bahuśobhamāne vāṃbike yakṣavapuścakāsti

Translation

Pagkatapos, tinanong ni Indra at ng iba pang mga diyos ang maningning na si Umā—si Haimavatī, ang Inang Walang Kapanganakan: “O marilag na Ginang, O Ambikā, ano ang pambihirang nilalang na ito na naririto, na nagpapakita sa anyong Yakṣa?”

Word by Word

• ताम् (tām): her

• शक्रमुख्याः (śakra-mukhyāḥ): Indra and the foremost (among the gods)

• बहुशोभमानाम् (bahu-śobhamānām): greatly resplendent

• उमाम् (umām): Uma

• अजाम् (ajām): the Unborn (Mother)

• हैमवतीम् (haimavatīm): daughter of Himavat, Haimavatī

• अपृच्छन् (apṛcchan): asked, inquired

• किम् (kim): what

• एतत् (etat): this

• ईशे (īśe): O Lady / O sovereign one

• बहुशोभमाने (bahu-śobhamāne): O greatly shining one

• वा (vā): indeed / and

• अम्बिके (ambike): O Ambikā

• यक्षवपुः (yakṣa-vapuḥ): Yakṣa-form, a mysterious spirit-like form

• च (ca): and

• कः (kaḥ): who

• अस्ति (asti): is

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating); within the story, Indra and the Devas address Uma (Parvati)

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Shakra)
• Uma (Parvati, Ambika, Haimavati)
• Devas
• Yaksha-form (hidden Shiva)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Shiva’s power of concealment (tirodhāna): even the Devas cannot recognize the Supreme unless grace arises through Shakti (Uma). In Linga-worship, this teaches humility and surrender—approaching the formless Pati through symbol and devotion rather than pride.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as beyond immediate recognition—appearing as a Yakṣa (mysterious presence) to test and dissolve ego. The Supreme Pati can veil Himself, remaining transcendent while manifesting in ordinary-seeming forms.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is ego-renunciation (ahaṅkāra-kṣaya) central to Pāśupata discipline: the pashu (individual) must abandon pride and seek guidance through Shakti and devotion, which is the inner posture behind effective Shiva-puja.