Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1

Adhyaya 59 — सूर्याद्यभिषेककथनम्

Surya and Related Abhisheka/ Cosmological Determinations

Devanagari script

इति श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे सूर्याद्यभिषेककथनं नामाष्टपञ्चाशत्तमो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु मुनयः पुनस्तं संशयान्विताः पप्रच्छुरुत्तरं भूयस् तदा ते रोमहर्षणम्

Transliteration

iti śrīliṅgamahāpurāṇe sūryādyabhiṣekakathanaṃ nāmāṣṭapañcāśattamo 'dhyāyaḥ sūta uvāca etacchrutvā tu munayaḥ punastaṃ saṃśayānvitāḥ papracchuruttaraṃ bhūyas tadā te romaharṣaṇam

Translation

Kaya nga, sa Śrī Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa, ipinakikilala ang ika-limampu’t siyam na kabanata na tinatawag na “Paglalahad ng abhiṣeka na nagsisimula sa Araw.” Sinabi ni Sūta: Nang marinig ito, ang mga pantas—taglay pa rin ang pag-aalinlangan—muling nagtanong kay Romaharṣaṇa (Sūta), humihingi ng mas ganap na tugon.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• śrī-liṅga-mahāpurāṇe: in the sacred Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa

• sūryādi-abhiṣeka-kathanam: narration of abhiṣeka beginning with the Sun (and other deities/elements)

• nāma: named

• āṣṭa-pañcāśattamaḥ: fifty-ninth

• adhyāyaḥ: chapter

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• etat: this

• śrutvā: having heard

• tu: indeed

• munayaḥ: sages

• punaḥ: again

• tam: him

• saṃśayānvitāḥ: endowed with doubts

• papracchuḥ: asked/questioned

• uttaram: answer

• bhūyaḥ: further/more fully

• tadā: then

• te: they

• romaharṣaṇam: Romaharṣaṇa (Sūta), the narrator

Speaker

Suta (Romaharshana)

Characters & Entities

• Suta (Romaharshana)
• Sages (Munis)

FAQs

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

It functions as a narrative gateway into the chapter on sūryādi-abhiṣeka—establishing that Shiva-linga abhiṣeka is to be explained in greater detail, prompted by the sages’ doubts and desire for precise puja-vidhi.

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

Indirectly: by centering the dialogue on abhiṣeka to the Liṅga, it implies Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord approached through ritual and knowledge—while the sages, as paśus (bound souls), seek clarity to loosen pasha (bondage) through right understanding and practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritualistically, it introduces abhiṣeka (sacred bathing) connected with Sūrya and others as offerings within Shiva-puja; yogically, it reflects the Pāśupata emphasis on removing doubt (saṃśaya) through śravaṇa (hearing) and correct instruction leading to steadier sādhana.