Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Adhyaya 61 — ग्रह-नक्षत्र-स्थाननिर्णयः

Cosmic Abodes of Luminaries and the Shaiva Order of Time

Devanagari script

भानोर्गतिविशेषेण चक्रवत्परिवर्तते दिवाकरः स्मृतस्तस्मात् कालकृद्विभुरीश्वरः

Transliteration

bhānorgativiśeṣeṇa cakravatparivartate divākaraḥ smṛtastasmāt kālakṛdvibhurīśvaraḥ

Translation

Dahil sa natatanging paglalakbay ng araw, ito’y umiikot na parang gulong. Kaya ito’y inaalala bilang “Divākara,” ang Tagapaglikha ng Araw; at ang Panginoong sumasaklaw sa lahat, ang Kataas-taasang Īśvara, sa pamamagitan nito ang siyang lumilikha ng Kāla (Panahon).

Word by Word

• bhānoḥ: of the sun

• gati-viśeṣeṇa: by the special/particular motion

• cakra-vat: like a wheel

• parivartate: revolves/turns about

• divā-karaḥ: the maker of day (the sun)

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/called

• tasmāt: therefore

• kāla-kṛt: the maker of time

• vibhuḥ: all-pervading

• īśvaraḥ: the Lord/Sovereign

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Surya (Sun)
• Kala (Time)

FAQs

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

It links visible cosmic order (the sun’s revolving course) to the invisible Pati, Shiva, who governs Kāla; Linga worship thus becomes contemplation of the timeless Lord who regulates time for the pashu’s maturation toward liberation.

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

Shiva is presented as Vibhu and Īśvara—immanent in the cosmic mechanism that measures time, yet sovereign over it—showing Pati as the ultimate cause behind temporal cycles rather than being bound by them.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Kāla-centered upāsanā: using the sun’s daily cycle as an aid for dhyāna on Shiva as Kālakṛt, cultivating detachment from time-bound pasha (bondage) and steadiness in Pāśupata-oriented discipline.