Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 69

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

लोकपालैस् तथा सिद्धैः संवृतं स्थाप्य यत्नतः रुद्रालये व्रतं तस्मै दापयेद्भक्तिपूर्वकम्

Transliteration

lokapālais tathā siddhaiḥ saṃvṛtaṃ sthāpya yatnataḥ rudrālaye vrataṃ tasmai dāpayedbhaktipūrvakam

Translation

Matapos siyang maingat na mailuklok sa banal na pook na binabantayan ng mga Lokapāla at napaliligiran ng mga ganap na Siddha, dapat—sa diwang bhakti—papagawin sa kanya ang panata sa tahanan ni Rudra. Sa gayon, ang disiplina ay nagiging handog na iniaalay kay Pati (Śiva), ang Panginoong nagpapaluwag sa pāśa (pagkagapos) ng paśu (kaluluwa).

Word by Word

• लोकपालैः: by the guardians of the worlds

• तथा: and also

• सिद्धैः: by the Siddhas (perfected beings)

• संवृतम्: enclosed/encircled/secured

• स्थाप्य: having placed/established

• यत्नतः: with effort/carefully

• रुद्रालये: in the abode/temple of Rudra (Śiva)

• व्रतम्: vow, religious observance

• तस्मै: to/for that person

• दापयेत्: should cause (him) to perform/undertake

• भक्तिपूर्वकम्: preceded by devotion, reverently

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra (Shiva)
• Lokapalas
• Siddhas

FAQs

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

It frames vrata (vowed discipline) performed in Rudra’s temple as a guarded, sanctified act—supported by cosmic protectors (Lokapālas) and Siddhas—making the observance a direct devotional offering to Śiva through the Rudrālayic setting.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati, the supreme Lord whose abode is a locus of protection and siddhi; devotion (bhakti) and disciplined vrata performed there become means for the paśu to move toward freedom from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Rudrālaya-vrata: undertaking a Shaiva vow within a consecrated, protected space—an outward puja-vidhi aligned with inner Pāśupata-style discipline (niyama, restraint, and devotional intent).