Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 193

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वोत्पन्नौ परं तेभ्यः सर्वेषामपि पूर्वजौ व्यतीते त्वष्टमे कल्पे पुराणौ लोकसाक्षिणौ

Transliteration

pūrvotpannau paraṃ tebhyaḥ sarveṣāmapi pūrvajau vyatīte tvaṣṭame kalpe purāṇau lokasākṣiṇau

Translation

Ipinanganak bago ang lahat at higit sa kanila, ang dalawang iyon ang pinakamatandang ninuno ng lahat. Nang lumipas ang ikawalong kalpa, ang dalawang sinaunang iyon ay tumindig bilang mga saksi ng mga daigdig.

Word by Word

• पूर्वोत्पन्नौ: born earlier/primordial pair

• परम्: higher, transcendent

• तेभ्यः: than them/than those

• सर्वेषाम्: of all

• अपि: indeed, even

• पूर्वजौ: the earliest-born/prime ancestors

• व्यतीते: having passed/elapsed

• त्वष्टमे: in the eighth

• कल्पे: kalpa/aeon

• पुराणौ: the two ancient ones

• लोकसाक्षिणौ: the two witnesses of the worlds

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Purana (as primordial testimony)
• Kalpa (cosmic aeon)

FAQs

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

It frames sacred tradition as rooted in primordial, world-witnessing reality—supporting Linga worship as devotion to the timeless Pati (Lord) who stands beyond changing kalpas.

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

By emphasizing transcendence and “witness of the worlds,” it aligns with Shiva-tattva as the eternal Sākṣin (witness-consciousness), prior to and greater than created orders.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to sākṣī-bhāva (witness-attitude) foundational to Shaiva yogic discipline—supportive of Pashupata-style inner detachment while honoring the Pati through Linga-puja.