Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

शरभप्रादुर्भावो नाम षण्णवतितमोऽध्यायः (जलन्धरविमर्दनम्)

Devanagari script

सुरेश्वरमुवाचेदं सुरेतरबलेश्वरः वाक्येनालं महाबाहो देवदेव वृषध्वज

Transliteration

sureśvaramuvācedaṃ suretarabaleśvaraḥ vākyenālaṃ mahābāho devadeva vṛṣadhvaja

Translation

Si Sureshvara, panginoon ng mga hukbo ng mga deva, ay nagsalita sa pinuno ng lakas ng mga asura: “Sapat na ang mga salita, O makapangyarihang bisig. O Diyos ng mga diyos, O Panginoong may bandilang Toro (Śiva)!”

Word by Word

• सुरेश्वरम्: the lord of the Devas (Sureshvara/Indra)

• उवाच: said/spoke

• इदम्: this

• सुरेतर-बल-ईश्वरः: the lord of the non-devas’ (Asuras’) strength

• वाक्येन: with speech/with words

• अलम्: enough/sufficient

• महाबाहो: O mighty-armed one

• देवदेव: O God of gods

• वृषध्वज: O Bull-bannered (Śiva)

Speaker

Sureshvara (Indra)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Indra
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It pivots from mere debate to direct invocation of Vṛṣadhvaja—signaling that true approach to the Linga begins with śaraṇāgati (taking refuge in Pati, Shiva), not only with words.

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

By addressing Shiva as “Devadeva” and “Vṛṣadhvaja,” it presents him as the supreme Pati—transcending Devas and Asuras alike, the ultimate refuge beyond the play of power and conflict.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice is stuti and inner renunciation of vāda (argumentation): a preparatory limb for puja and for Pāśupata orientation—turning the pashu (soul) toward Pati rather than remaining bound in pasha (egoic contention).