Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 169

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

तदा प्राह महादेवः प्रहसन्निव शङ्करः सम्प्रेक्ष्य प्रणयाद्विष्णुं कृताञ्जलिपुटं स्थितम्

Transliteration

tadā prāha mahādevaḥ prahasanniva śaṅkaraḥ samprekṣya praṇayādviṣṇuṃ kṛtāñjalipuṭaṃ sthitam

Translation

Pagkaraan, si Mahādeva—si Śaṅkara na wari’y banayad na nakangiti—ay nagsalita, habang tinitingnan nang may pag-ibig si Viṣṇu na nakatayo roon na magkadikit ang mga palad (kṛtāñjali) sa mapitagang pagsusumamo.

Word by Word

• तदा (tadā): then

• प्राह (prāha): said, spoke

• महादेवः (mahādevaḥ): Mahādeva, the Great God (Pati)

• प्रहसन्निव (prahasann iva): as if smiling, softly pleased

• शङ्करः (śaṅkaraḥ): Śaṅkara, the beneficent one

• सम्प्रेक्ष्य (samprekṣya): having looked upon, observing

• प्रणयात् (praṇayāt): with affection, gracious intimacy

• विष्णुं (viṣṇuṃ): Viṣṇu

• कृताञ्जलिपुटं (kṛtāñjalipuṭaṃ): with joined palms (añjali gesture)

• स्थितम् (sthitam): standing, remaining present

Speaker

Suta (outer narrator) describing Shiva speaking to Vishnu (inner dialogue)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It frames the devotional posture that underlies Linga-pūjā: Viṣṇu stands with añjali (joined palms), and Śiva responds with gracious, smiling attention—showing that sincere reverence draws the Lord’s anugraha (grace).

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

Śiva appears as Mahādeva and Śaṅkara—supremely benevolent (Pati) and approachable—bestowing favor through compassionate presence rather than mere command, indicating grace as central to Shiva-tattva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights añjali-mudrā and śaraṇāgati-bhāva (reverent surrender), a foundational inner discipline aligned with Pāśupata orientation—humility of the pashu before Pati as the doorway to instruction and liberation.