Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 33

सोमवर्णनम्

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

Devanagari script

ग्रहनक्षत्रतारासु उपरिष्टाद्यथाक्रमम् ग्रहाश् च चन्द्रसूर्यौ च युतौ दिव्येन तेजसा

Transliteration

grahanakṣatratārāsu upariṣṭādyathākramam grahāś ca candrasūryau ca yutau divyena tejasā

Translation

Sa ibabaw ng mga planeta, mga konstelasyon, at mga bituin—na nakaayos sa wastong kaayusan—naroon ang mga Graha, at ang Buwan at Araw, na nagkakaisa at nagniningning sa banal na liwanag. Sa kaayusang kosmiko, ang kanilang ningning ay sumasalamin sa itinakdang ritmo ng pamamahala ni Śiva bilang Pati, habang ang lahat ng gumagalaw na nilalang (paśu) ay nananatiling nakagapos sa sinusukat na landas ng panahon (pāśa).

Word by Word

• ग्रह-नक्षत्र-तारासु: among the planets, lunar mansions, and stars

• उपरिष्टात्: above, higher than

• यथा-क्रमम्: in due sequence, in proper order

• ग्रहाः: the planetary powers (Grahas)

• च: and

• चन्द्र-सूर्यौ: the Moon and the Sun

• च: and

• युतौ: joined, united, together

• दिव्येन: by/with the divine

• तेजसा: radiance, splendor

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Surya
• Chandra
• Grahas

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmos as an ordered manifestation under Śiva’s lordship (Pati). Linga worship aligns the devotee (paśu) with that divine order, seeking freedom from time-bound influences (pāśa) symbolized by the Sun, Moon, and Grahas.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the transcendent governor of cosmic rhythm: the luminaries and planetary powers move in a fixed hierarchy, indicating an intelligent, sovereign principle beyond them—Śiva as Pati, the source and regulator of tejas and kāla.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports a Shaiva discipline of transcending kāla (time) and graha-influence through steady Śiva-upāsanā—especially Linga-pūjā with mantra and dhyāna—so the paśu is not ruled by external cycles but oriented toward Pati.