Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

व्यपोहनस्तवनिरूपण-प्रसङ्गे नक्तभोजन-शिवव्रतविधिः (वार्षिक-प्रतिमास-क्रमः)

Devanagari script

देवैर्भुक्तं तु पूर्वाह्णे मध्याह्ने ऋषिभिस् तथा अपराह्णे च पितृभिः संध्यायां गुह्यकादिभिः

Transliteration

devairbhuktaṃ tu pūrvāhṇe madhyāhne ṛṣibhis tathā aparāhṇe ca pitṛbhiḥ saṃdhyāyāṃ guhyakādibhiḥ

Translation

Sa umaga, ang mga Deva ang tumatanggap; sa tanghali, gayundin ang mga Ṛṣi; sa hapon, ang mga Pitṛ; at sa dapithapon, ang mga Guhyaka at iba pang maseselang nilalang. Kaya ang mga handog ng maghapon ay hinahati ayon sa kaayusang kosmiko na itinatag ni Pati (Śiva), upang itali ang paśu sa dharma at paluwagin ang mga pāśa sa pamamagitan ng wastong ritwal.

Word by Word

• देवैः: by the Devas (gods)

• भुक्तम्: is eaten/partaken

• तु: indeed

• पूर्वाह्णे: in the forenoon

• मध्याह्ने: at midday

• ऋषिभिः: by the sages (ṛṣis)

• तथा: and also

• अपराह्णे: in the afternoon

• च: and

• पितृभिः: by the ancestors (pitṛs)

• संध्यायाम्: at twilight (sandhyā)

• गुह्यकादिभिः: by the Guhyakas and others

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Rishis
• Pitrs
• Guhyakas
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It maps the day’s naivedya and related rites to specific cosmic recipients, teaching that Linga-pūjā is not merely personal devotion but a dharmic participation in Śiva’s ordered universe—supporting devas, ṛṣis, pitṛs, and subtle hosts through correctly timed offerings.

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

Though not naming Him directly, the verse presupposes a single governing ṛta behind multiple classes of beings; in Shaiva Siddhānta this order is upheld by Pati (Śiva), who regulates bhoga and karmic reciprocity, enabling the pashu to progress toward release from pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights time-disciplined worship—sandhyā observance, naivedya, and pitṛ-related rites (tarpana/śrāddha orientation)—a practical foundation that supports inner Pāśupata discipline by aligning daily conduct with sacred time.