Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

अन्धक-हिरण्याक्ष-प्रसङ्गः, वराहावतारः, दंष्ट्राभूषणं च

Devanagari script

तव रोम्णि सकलामरेश्वरानयनद्वये शशिरवी पदद्वये /* निहिता रसातलगता वसुंधरा तव पृष्ठतः सकलतारकादयः

Transliteration

tava romṇi sakalāmareśvarānayanadvaye śaśiravī padadvaye /* nihitā rasātalagatā vasuṃdharā tava pṛṣṭhataḥ sakalatārakādayaḥ

Translation

O Mahādeva—sa mga balahibo ng Iyong katawan nananahan ang lahat ng panginoon ng mga deva; sa Iyong dalawang mata naninirahan ang Araw at ang Buwan; sa Iyong dalawang paa nagpapahinga ang Daigdig, inilapag sa mga kailaliman ng Rasātala; at sa likod ng Iyong likuran nakahanay ang lahat ng mga bituin at mga hukbong makalangit. Kaya ang buong sansinukob ay inaalalayan sa Iyo—ang Pati na lampas sa lahat ng pāśa, mga tali ng pagkaalipin.

Word by Word

• तव (tava): your

• रोम्णि (romṇi): in the body-hairs/pores

• सकल (sakala): all

• अमर-ईश्वराः (amara-īśvarāḥ): the lords of the immortals (devas)

• नयन-द्वये (nayana-dvaye): in the two eyes

• शशि (śaśi): the Moon

• रवि (ravi): the Sun

• पद-द्वये (pada-dvaye): in/at the two feet

• निहिता (nihitā): placed, established

• रसातल-गता (rasātala-gatā): situated in Rasātala (nether region)

• वसुंधरा (vasuṃdharā): the Earth

• पृष्ठतः (pṛṣṭhataḥ): behind, at the back

• सकल-तारक-आदयः (sakala-tāraka-ādayaḥ): all the stars and other celestial bodies/beings

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a hymn/praise embedded in the Purva-Bhaga narrative)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Surya
• Chandra
• Devas
• Earth (Vasundhara)
• Stars (Tarakas)
• Rasatala

FAQs

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

It frames the Liṅga as the sign of the all-supporting Pati: worship is not merely of a form, but of Shiva in whom devas, luminaries, earth, and stars are established—making liṅga-pūjā a direct approach to the cosmic ground.

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

Shiva is presented as the adhāra (substratum) of the universe: the cosmos appears as located in His limbs, implying His transcendence and immanence—Pati beyond pasha, yet pervading all tattvas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā aligned with Pāśupata orientation: meditate on Shiva’s viśvarūpa (Sun-Moon as eyes, Earth at feet) while offering to the Liṅga, to weaken pasha (bondage) and steady the pashu (individual soul) toward Pati.