Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58

Varaha-Pradurbhava Context: Prahlada’s Bhakti, Narasimha’s Ugra-Form, and Shiva’s Sharabha Intervention

Devanagari script

सर्वलोकहितायैनं तत्त्वं संहर्तुमिच्छसि सूत उवाच विज्ञापितस् तथा देवः प्रहसन्प्राह तान् सुरान्

Transliteration

sarvalokahitāyainaṃ tattvaṃ saṃhartumicchasi sūta uvāca vijñāpitas tathā devaḥ prahasanprāha tān surān

Translation

“Para sa kapakanan ng lahat ng mga daigdig, nais ninyong bawiin (itago) ang Katotohanang ito.” Sabi ni Sūta: Nang maipabatid ito, ngumiti ang Panginoon at nagsalita sa mga diyos na iyon.

Word by Word

• सर्वलोकहिताय: for the welfare of all worlds

• एनम्: this (tattva)

• तत्त्वम्: the principle/Reality (Śiva-tattva)

• संहर्तुम्: to withdraw, dissolve, conceal

• इच्छसि: you desire

• सूत उवाच: Sūta said

• विज्ञापितः: having been informed, having been petitioned

• तथा: thus

• देवः: the Lord (Śiva)

• प्रहसन्: smiling gently

• प्राह: said

• तान्: to them

• सुरान्: the gods (devas).

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva-tattva as something revealed or withdrawn for sarva-loka-hita (universal welfare), implying that Linga worship is aligned with Shiva’s gracious governance of revelation (anugraha) and concealment (tirodhāna) for the good of beings.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as the supreme Reality that can be ‘withdrawn’ or ‘veiled’ by the Lord, indicating Pati’s sovereignty over knowledge and manifestation—guiding pashus (souls) bound by pasha (bondage) according to their readiness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this line; the takeaway is the Shaiva principle behind practice: in Pashupata Yoga and Linga-puja, discipline and devotion prepare the pashu to receive Shiva’s unveiling of tattva.