Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

Adhyaya 63: Daksha’s Progeny, Kashyapa’s Offspring, and the Rishi-Vamshas that Sustain the Worlds

Devanagari script

शाण्डिल्यानां वरः श्रीमान् देवलः सुमहातपाः शाण्डिल्या नैध्रुवा रैभ्यास् त्रयः पक्षास्तु काश्यपाः

Transliteration

śāṇḍilyānāṃ varaḥ śrīmān devalaḥ sumahātapāḥ śāṇḍilyā naidhruvā raibhyās trayaḥ pakṣāstu kāśyapāḥ

Translation

Sa mga Śāṇḍilya, ang maringal na si Devala—may dakilang pag-aayuno at pagsasadhana—ang pinakapanguna. Ang mga Śāṇḍilya, mga Naidhruva, at mga Raibhya ay sinasabing tatlong sangay (pakṣa), pawang kabilang sa angkan ni Kāśyapa.

Word by Word

• शाण्डिल्यानाम्: of the Śāṇḍilyas

• वरः: the best, foremost

• श्रीमान्: illustrious, venerable

• देवलः: Devala (name of a sage)

• सुमहातपाः: possessing very great tapas/austerity

• शाण्डिल्याः: the Śāṇḍilyas (group/line)

• नैध्रुवाः: the Naidhruvas (branch/line)

• रैभ्याः: the Raibhyas (branch/line)

• त्रयः: three

• पक्षाः: branches, divisions

• तु: indeed

• काश्यपाः: of Kāśyapa’s lineage / Kāśyapas

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Devala
• Kashyapa
• Shandilya

FAQs

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

It anchors ritual authority: gotra-pravara lineages (like the Kāśyapa branches) preserve Vedic transmission, which supports correct mantra, homa, and śaiva-vidhi used alongside Linga-pūjā.

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

Indirectly: by praising Devala’s tapas, it points to the Shaiva ideal that purification through austerity and dharma prepares the paśu (bound soul) to turn toward Pati (Śiva), the liberator from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) as a foundational discipline—supporting Pāśupata-aligned self-restraint and steadiness that make pūjā and mantra effective.