Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

सबान्धवान्क्षणादेव युष्मान् संतारयाम्यहम् सूत उवाच एवम् उक्त्वा सुरश्रेष्ठान् सुरश्रेष्ठमनुस्मरन्

Transliteration

sabāndhavānkṣaṇādeva yuṣmān saṃtārayāmyaham sūta uvāca evam uktvā suraśreṣṭhān suraśreṣṭhamanusmaran

Translation

“Kasama ang inyong mga kamag‑anak, ililigtas ko kayo at itatawid—sa mismong sandaling ito.” Sabi ni Sūta: Pagkasabi nito sa mga pinakadakila sa mga deva, kanyang inalaala sa puso ang Pinakadakila sa mga deva—si Śiva.

Word by Word

• sabāndhavān: along with (your) relatives/kinsmen

• kṣaṇāt eva: in a moment, immediately

• yuṣmān: you (all)

• saṃtārayāmi: I cause (you) to cross over, I deliver

• aham: I

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• evam: thus

• uktvā: having said

• suraśreṣṭhān: the best of the devas, the foremost gods

• suraśreṣṭham: the best of the gods (epithet of Śiva)

• anusmaran: remembering, recollecting (meditatively)

Speaker

Suta (narrator); the preceding direct speech is by an unnamed divine agent/benefactor in the narrative who invokes Śiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that true deliverance (tāraṇa) is ultimately granted by Pati—Śiva—remembered and invoked; Linga worship is not merely external ritual but a direct channel to Śiva’s saving grace.

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

Śiva is implied as Surasreṣṭha—the supreme among devas—whose presence is accessed through anusmaraṇa (inner recollection). This points to Śiva-tattva as the transcendent Lord who can sever pāśa (bondage) and carry the paśu (soul) across saṃsāra.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Anusmaraṇa (devotional recollection/meditative remembrance) is highlighted—aligned with Pāśupata orientation where inner fixation on Pati complements outward pūjā and becomes the immediate means for protection and liberation.