Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 140

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

Devanagari script

बुद्ध्याश् च समकाले वै प्रादुर्भूतस् तमोमयः तमोमोहो महामोहस् तामिस्रश्चान्धसंज्ञितः

Transliteration

buddhyāś ca samakāle vai prādurbhūtas tamomayaḥ tamomoho mahāmohas tāmisraścāndhasaṃjñitaḥ

Translation

At kasabay ng paglitaw ng buddhi (katalinuhan), nahayag din ang prinsipyong tamas; ito’y tinatawag na tamo-moha, pagkalito mula sa dilim; mahā-moha, dakilang pagkalito; tāmisra, nakabubulag na kadiliman; at ang kalagayang tinatawag na Andha—bulag na kamalayang espirituwal.

Word by Word

• बुद्ध्याः (buddhyāḥ): of/with buddhi, intellect

• च (ca): and

• समकाले (samakāle): at the same time, simultaneously

• वै (vai): indeed

• प्रादुर्भूतः (prādurbhūtaḥ): manifested, arose

• तमोमयः (tamomayaḥ): constituted of tamas, tamasic in nature

• तमोमोहः (tamo-mohaḥ): delusion produced by darkness

• महामोहः (mahā-mohaḥ): great delusion, intensified bewilderment

• तामिस्रः (tāmisraḥ): blinding darkness, obscuration

• च (ca): and

• अन्धसंज्ञितः (andha-saṃjñitaḥ): termed ‘andha’, called blindness (spiritual).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana account of srishti to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It identifies tamasic delusion as a primary pasha (bond) that veils buddhi; Linga-worship is prescribed as a Shaiva upaya to purify the inner instrument and turn the pashu toward Pati, Shiva.

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

By implication, Shiva-tattva stands as the revealer beyond tamas: while tamomaya moha arises within prakritic evolution, Shiva as Pati is the transcendental consciousness who removes andha (spiritual blindness) through grace (anugraha).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is purification of buddhi through Shaiva sadhana—Pashupata-oriented discipline (japa, dhyana, and worship of the Linga) to overcome tamo-moha and attain clarity conducive to liberation.