Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

सोमवर्णनम्

Graha–Ratha–Aśva Varṇana, Dhruva-Nibaddha Gati, Maṇḍala-Pramāṇa, Graha-Arcana

Devanagari script

द्विगुणः सूर्यविस्ताराद् विस्तारः शशिनः स्मृतः तुल्यस्तयोस्तु स्वर्भानुर् भूत्वाधस्तात्प्रसर्पति

Transliteration

dviguṇaḥ sūryavistārād vistāraḥ śaśinaḥ smṛtaḥ tulyastayostu svarbhānur bhūtvādhastātprasarpati

Translation

Ang lawak ng Buwan ay inaalala na dalawang ulit ng lawak ng Araw. At si Svarbhānu—kapantay ang sukat sa kanila—ay gumagalaw sa ibaba, gumagapang sa ilalim; kaya siya ang sanhi ng eklipse, sa pagtabing ng kanilang liwanag.

Word by Word

• द्विगुणः: twice

• सूर्य-विस्तारात्: than the Sun’s extent/diameter

• विस्तारः: expanse, measure

• शशिनः: of the Moon

• स्मृतः: is remembered/traditionally stated

• तुल्यः: equal

• तयोः: to those two (Sun and Moon)

• तु: indeed/but

• स्वर्भानुः: Svarbhānu (Rāhu)

• भूत्वा: having become/being

• अधस्तात्: below, beneath

• प्रसर्पति: moves/creeps along

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Chandra
• Svarbhanu
• Rahu

FAQs

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

It frames celestial phenomena as governed by niyati (cosmic ordinance) under Pati (Śiva); for a Liṅga-upāsaka, eclipses and planetary motions become reminders to worship Mahādeva as the inner regulator of all lights.

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

Though Śiva is not named, the verse implies an ordered cosmos where even obscuration (eclipse) occurs within lawful measure; in Shaiva Siddhānta this points to Śiva as Pati—the transcendent yet immanent governor who allows pasha-like coverings without diminishing the Self-luminous Reality.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in the verse; the takeaway is yogic: treat eclipses and cosmic changes as occasions for japa and dhyāna on the Liṅga—recognizing coverings (āvaraṇa) as pasha to be transcended through Pāśupata-oriented inner discipline.