Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 147

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

भूशयो भूतिकृद्भूतिर् भूषणो भूतवाहनः अकायो भक्तकायस्थः कालज्ञानी कलावपुः

Transliteration

bhūśayo bhūtikṛdbhūtir bhūṣaṇo bhūtavāhanaḥ akāyo bhaktakāyasthaḥ kālajñānī kalāvapuḥ

Translation

Siya ang nakahimlay sa lupa bilang sandigan nito; ang Tagapagkaloob ng mapalad na kapangyarihan at kasaganaan; Siya mismo ang Kasaganaan; ang Palamuti ng mga daigdig; ang Tagapasan at Tagagabay ng lahat ng nilalang. Walang katawan sa Kanyang kataas-taasang kalikasan, ngunit nananahan sa katawan ng deboto; ang Nakaaalam ng Panahon; na ang anyo ay Kalā—banal na maselang kapangyarihang nagpapakita at namamahala sa lahat.

Word by Word

• भूशयः: one who lies on/supports the earth

• भूतिकृत्: maker/bestower of bhūti (auspicious power, prosperity, sacred ash)

• भूतिः: prosperity, glory, sacred potency

• भूषणः: ornament, one who adorns

• भूतवाहनः: carrier/guide of beings (bhūtas), one whose vehicle is the host of beings

• अकायः: bodiless, without material form

• भक्तकायस्थः: abiding in the devotee’s body/heart, indwelling the devotee

• कालज्ञानी: knower of time (kāla) and its law

• कलावपुः: whose body/form is kalā (divine power, subtle manifestation)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as the bodiless Supreme (akāya) made approachable through His subtle power (kalā) and through inner presence in the devotee—supporting Linga-pūjā as worship of the formless Pati via a sacred, manifest symbol.

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

Shiva is transcendent (bodiless, beyond material form) yet immanent (dwelling in the devotee). As Kāla-jñānī He governs time and karma, and as Kalā-vapuḥ He is the subtle śakti by which manifestation and grace operate—Pati ruling and liberating the pashu from pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to antaryāga (inner worship) and Pāśupata-oriented bhakti: meditating on Shiva as the indwelling Lord while performing external Linga-pūjā, recognizing bhūti (sacred ash/auspicious power) as His grace and discipline.