Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 117

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

देवासुरगुरुर्देवो देवासुरनमस्कृतः देवासुरमहामात्रो देवासुरमहाश्रयः

Transliteration

devāsuragururdevo devāsuranamaskṛtaḥ devāsuramahāmātro devāsuramahāśrayaḥ

Translation

Siya ang Deva, ang Guru ng mga diyos at mga asura; iginagalang at sinasamba ng kapwa diyos at asura. Siya ang dakilang kapangyarihang parang punong-tagapayo para sa dalawa, at ang sukdulang kanlungang kanilang pinanananganan.

Word by Word

• devaḥ: the Divine Lord

• devāsura-guruḥ: teacher/preceptor of devas and asuras

• devāsura-namaskṛtaḥ: saluted/revered by devas and asuras

• devāsura-mahāmātraḥ: great minister/overseer (principal authority) for devas and asuras

• devāsura-mahāśrayaḥ: great shelter/refuge/support for devas and asuras

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a Shiva Sahasranama within the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the universal refuge (mahāśraya) beyond faction—deva or asura—supporting the Linga as the all-inclusive symbol of Pati, the one shelter worthy of worship and surrender.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as impartial sovereignty: the same Lord is guru, honored authority, and final support for all pashus (souls), regardless of their alignment, indicating transcendence over dualities and bonds (pāśa).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) expressed through namaskāra and nāma-japa: reciting Shiva’s names as the mahāśraya aligns the pashu toward Pati, a core orientation in Pāśupata-influenced devotion.