Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 61

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

Devanagari script

संभाविता सा सकलामरेन्द्रैः सर्वप्रवृत्तिस्तु सुरासुराणाम् अहं पुरासं प्रकृतिश् च पुंसो यक्षस्य चाज्ञावशगेत्यथाह

Transliteration

saṃbhāvitā sā sakalāmarendraiḥ sarvapravṛttistu surāsurāṇām ahaṃ purāsaṃ prakṛtiś ca puṃso yakṣasya cājñāvaśagetyathāha

Translation

Pinarangalan Siya ng lahat ng mga panginoon ng mga Deva, at Siya ang naging udyok sa lahat ng pagkilos ng mga Deva at Asura. Pagkaraan ay sinabi Niya: “Mula pa noong unang panahon, Ako ang Prakṛti (ang sinaunang kapangyarihan) ng Puruṣa; at Ako man ay nasa ilalim ng utos ng Yakṣang iyon—ang Kataas-taasang Panginoon na namamahala sa lahat.”

Word by Word

• संभाविता: honoured/revered

• सा: she

• सकल-अमर-इन्द्रैः: by all the lords of the immortals (Devas)

• सर्व-प्रवृत्तिः: the universal activity/impulse of action

• तु: indeed

• सुर-असुराणाम्: of Devas and Asuras

• अहम्: I

• पुरा: from of old/previously

• आसम्: was

• प्रकृतिः: Prakriti, primordial nature/power

• च: and

• पुंसः: of the Puruṣa (spirit/person)

• यक्षस्य: of the Yakṣa (the Lord, hidden ruler)

• च: also

• आज्ञा-वशगा: under command/obedient to the order

• इति: thus

• अथ: then

• आह: said

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an embedded speech of Devi/Prakriti)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Asuras
• Prakriti
• Purusha
• Yaksha (Shiva as the supreme Lord)

FAQs

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

It establishes that even Prakriti—the power behind all cosmic activity—acts under the supreme Lord (Yaksha/Shiva). Linga worship centers on recognizing Pati (Shiva) as the controller of Shakti and the source of all order.

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

Shiva is implied as the transcendent governor (Pati) to whom even Prakriti is obedient. This aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta: the Lord is independent, while Shakti/Prakriti operates as His regulated power, and the worlds arise through His sovereignty.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway supports Pashupata orientation: the yogin or devotee seeks liberation by shifting identification from Prakriti’s motions (Pasha) to steadfast refuge in Pati through Linga-upasana, mantra, and disciplined detachment.