Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 101

Adhyaya 70: आदिसर्गः—महत्-अहङ्कार-तन्मात्रा-भूतसृष्टिः, ब्रह्माण्डावरणम्, प्रजासर्गः, त्रिमूर्ति-शैवाधिष्ठानम्

Devanagari script

पाति यस्मात्प्रजाः सर्वाः प्रजापतिर् इति स्मृतः देवेषु च महान्देवो महादेवस्ततः स्मृतः

Transliteration

pāti yasmātprajāḥ sarvāḥ prajāpatir iti smṛtaḥ deveṣu ca mahāndevo mahādevastataḥ smṛtaḥ

Translation

Sapagkat Kanya ngang iniingatan at pinangangalagaan ang lahat ng nilalang (prajā), Siya’y inaalala bilang Prajāpati; at sapagkat sa gitna ng mga diyos Siya ang Dakilang Diyos, kaya Siya’y inaalala bilang Mahādeva.

Word by Word

• पाति (pāti): protects

• यस्मात् (yasmāt): because/from whom

• प्रजाः (prajāḥ): creatures, subjects, progeny

• सर्वाः (sarvāḥ): all

• प्रजापतिः (prajāpatiḥ): Lord of beings/Progenitor

• इति (iti): thus

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is remembered/called

• देवेषु (deveṣu): among the gods

• च (ca): and

• महान् (mahān): great

• देवः (devaḥ): god, divine lord

• महादेवः (mahādevaḥ): Mahādeva, the Great God

• ततः (tataḥ): therefore/for that reason

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is remembered/called

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s epithets to the Sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (implied as Prajapati/Mahadeva)
• Devas (collective)

FAQs

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

It grounds Linga worship in Shiva’s role as Pati—the universal Protector—showing that the Linga is revered not merely as a symbol but as the living Lord who safeguards all prajā.

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

It defines Shiva as the supreme Deva (Mahādeva) and as Prajāpati, indicating his sovereignty over creation and protection—key aspects of Pati-tattva over pashus (souls).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this verse; the takeaway is contemplative—meditate on Shiva as Pati (protector) and Mahādeva while performing Linga-puja or Pāśupata-oriented japa.