Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

अन्धकानुग्रहः—शूलारोपणं, रुद्रस्मरण-फलम्, तथा गाणपत्य-प्रदानम् (अध्याय 93)

Devanagari script

दग्धो ऽग्निना च शूलेन प्रोतः प्रेत इवान्धकः सात्त्विकं भावमास्थाय चिन्तयामास चेतसा

Transliteration

dagdho 'gninā ca śūlena protaḥ preta ivāndhakaḥ sāttvikaṃ bhāvamāsthāya cintayāmāsa cetasā

Translation

Nasunog sa apoy at natusok ng trishula, nakahandusay si Andhaka na parang bangkay. Ngunit sa pagkapit sa sāttvic na damdamin, siya’y nagmuni sa loob—ang isip ay bumaling sa kaliwanagan sa gitna ng dumadagundong na śakti ni Śiva.

Word by Word

• दग्धः: burned

• अग्निना: by fire

• च: and

• शूलेन: by the trident

• प्रोतः: pierced through, transfixed

• प्रेतः इव: like a corpse/ghost

• अन्धकः: Andhaka

• सात्त्विकम्: sāttvic, pure, lucid

• भावम्: state/disposition

• आस्थाय: having assumed, taking refuge in

• चिन्तयामास: he contemplated, reflected

• चेतसा: with the mind/heart-consciousness

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; internal focus on Andhaka’s state)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Andhaka
• Agni

FAQs

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

It shows how the pashu (bound soul) can shift from tamas into sāttvika-bhāva through Śiva’s purifying force; Linga worship is precisely this inward turning—moving from bondage (pāśa) to remembrance of Pati (Śiva).

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

Śiva-tattva appears as both fierce and compassionate: His śakti burns and pierces to destroy impurity, yet that very discipline opens the space for clarity (sattva) and inner reflection, which is the seed of grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights inner purification and self-reflection (cintana) arising from sāttvika-bhāva—an essential Pāśupata orientation where suffering and divine chastisement become catalysts for vairāgya and turning toward Śiva.