Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

दयादर्शितपन्थानो रुद्रलोकं व्रजन्ति च स्वामिवत्परिरक्षन्ति बहूनि विविधानि च

Transliteration

dayādarśitapanthāno rudralokaṃ vrajanti ca svāmivatparirakṣanti bahūni vividhāni ca

Translation

Ang mga lumalakad sa landas na inihayag ng habag ay makararaos sa daigdig ni Rudra; at tulad ng tunay na panginoon, pinangangalagaan nila ang marami sa iba’t ibang paraan.

Word by Word

• दयाः: compassion

• दर्शित: shown/revealed

• पन्थानः: paths/wayfarers (those who follow the path)

• रुद्रलोकम्: Rudra’s world (Rudraloka)

• व्रजन्ति: they go/attain

• च: and

• स्वामिवत्: like a lord/master

• परिरक्षन्ति: they protect/guard completely

• बहूनि: many

• विविधानि: diverse/varied

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-bhakti as more than ritual: true worship matures into dayā (compassion) and active protection of pashus (living beings), which is presented as a cause for reaching Rudraloka.

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

By naming Rudraloka as the fruit of compassionate conduct, the verse implies Shiva as Pati—the Lord who uplifts pashus from pasha (bondage) through dharmic transformation, not mere external observance.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

An ethical limb aligned with Pashupata discipline: cultivating dayā and guardianship (rakṣaṇa) as a lived sādhana that supports Shiva-puja and leads toward proximity to Rudra.