Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 105

अध्याय ८२ — व्यपोहनस्तवः (पापव्यपोहन-स्तोत्रम्)

Devanagari script

महामोहा महाभागा महाभूतगणैर्वृता शिवार्चनरता नित्यं सा मे पापं व्यपोहतु

Transliteration

mahāmohā mahābhāgā mahābhūtagaṇairvṛtā śivārcanaratā nityaṃ sā me pāpaṃ vyapohatu

Translation

Nawa’y ang Mahāmohā—ang lubhang mapalad at laging nakatuon sa pagsamba kay Śiva, na napapaligiran ng mga pangkat ng dakilang mga nilalang-elemento—ang mag-alis ng aking kasalanan.

Word by Word

• महामोहा (mahāmohā): Mahāmohā (a great, overpowering power/personified śakti)

• महाभागा (mahābhāgā): most fortunate, greatly blessed

• महाभूत-गणैः (mahābhūta-gaṇaiḥ): by the groups/hosts of great beings (also: elemental hosts)

• वृता (vṛtā): surrounded, encompassed

• शिव-अर्चन-रता (śiva-arcana-ratā): devoted/delighting in Śiva’s worship

• नित्यम् (nityaṃ): always, continually

• सा (sā): she/that (power)

• मे (me): my

• पापम् (pāpaṃ): sin, demerit

• व्यपोहतु (vyapohatu): may (she/it) remove, dispel, drive away.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a prayer/hymnic statement within the Shiva-archana context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahāmohā
• Mahābhūta-gaṇas

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva-archana (including Linga-puja) as a direct means of pāpa-vyapohana—dispelling the soul’s impurity and loosening pāśa (bondage) by turning the pashu toward Pati, Shiva.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the supreme purifying reality: devotion to Śiva’s worship is portrayed as continually effective, with Shiva’s sphere attended by powerful gaṇas/mahābhūtas, indicating His lordship over the manifest elements and their hosts.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nitya-śivārcana—daily worship of Shiva (especially in Linga-puja)—as a practical discipline that purifies the aspirant and supports the Pāśupata aim of cutting down bondage through sustained devotion and right observance.