Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

तस्मात्तेन निहन्तव्या नान्यैः शस्त्रशतैरपि ततो निशम्य तेषां वै वचनं वारिजेक्षणः

Transliteration

tasmāttena nihantavyā nānyaiḥ śastraśatairapi tato niśamya teṣāṃ vai vacanaṃ vārijekṣaṇaḥ

Translation

“Kaya siya ay dapat paslangin sa pamamagitan ng paraang iyon—hindi sa pamamagitan ng iba, kahit ng daan-daang sandata.” Nang marinig ang mga salitang iyon, ang may matang tulad ng lotus ay nagmuni-muni at tinanggap ang payo.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• tena: by that (very means/weapon)

• nihantavyā: is to be slain/should be killed

• na: not

• anyaiḥ: by other (means)

• śastra-śataiḥ: by hundreds of weapons

• api: even

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• niśamya: having heard

• teṣām: of them

• vai: indeed

• vacanam: statement/words

• vāri-ja-īkṣaṇaḥ: the lotus-eyed one (epithet of a divine hero, typically Viṣṇu or a radiant deva).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the internal counsel within the story)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It underscores that outcomes are governed by Pati (Shiva’s supreme ordinance), not merely by external instruments—an inner principle echoed in Linga worship where devotion and alignment with Shiva’s will surpass material force.

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

By implying that no ordinary arsenal can override the destined means, the verse points to Shiva-tattva as the transcendent governor of karma and destiny—Pati who can bind or release the pashu beyond worldly causality.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is Pashupata-bhāva: disciplined surrender and discernment (śravaṇa and mananam—hearing and contemplative acceptance of right counsel) rather than dependence on sheer physical power.