Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

खगेन्द्रमारुह्य नगेन्द्रकल्पं खगध्वजो वामत एव शंभोः /* जगाम जगतां हिताय पुरत्रयं दग्धुमलुप्तशक्तिः

Transliteration

khagendramāruhya nagendrakalpaṃ khagadhvajo vāmata eva śaṃbhoḥ /* jagāma jagatāṃ hitāya puratrayaṃ dagdhumaluptaśaktiḥ

Translation

Nakasakay sa Garuḍa at taglay ang sagisag na tila panginoon ng mga bundok, ang May-Bandila ay tumungo sa kaliwang panig ni Śambhu. Di-nauubos ang lakas, siya’y naglakbay para sa kapakanan ng mga daigdig—upang masunog ang Tatlong Lungsod (Tripura).

Word by Word

• खगेन्द्र (khagendra): Garuḍa, king of birds

• आरुह्य (āruhya): having mounted

• नगेन्द्रकल्पम् (nagendrakalpam): resembling the lord of mountains, mountain-like

• खगध्वजः (khagadhvajaḥ): he whose banner is the bird (Garuḍa-bannered)

• वामतः (vāmataḥ): on the left side

• एव (eva): indeed

• शंभोः (śaṃbhoḥ): of Śambhu (Śiva)

• जगाम (jagāma): went/proceeded

• जगताम् (jagatām): of the worlds

• हिताय (hitāya): for the welfare

• पुरत्रयम् (puratrayam): the three cities (Tripura)

• दग्धुम् (dagdhum): to burn

• अलुप्तशक्तिः (aluptaśaktiḥ): of undiminished/unfailing power

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Tripura

FAQs

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

It portrays Śiva (Pati) acting for loka-hita—removing destructive bondage (Tripura as pasha-like obstruction). Linga worship aligns the devotee (pashu) with Śiva’s protective and liberating power rather than merely seeking worldly gain.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as sovereign beneficence: Śambhu stands as the central Lord, while divine forces gather at his side. The act of burning Tripura signifies Śiva’s power to dissolve entrenched impurities and restore dharma for the worlds.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is seva to Pati through alignment and surrender: like the deity who takes his place at Śiva’s left, the sādhaka practices Pāśupata-oriented devotion—offering intent, mantra, and disciplined conduct to participate in Śiva’s loka-hita and inner purification.