Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

बहुश्रुतो बहुमयो नियतात्मा भवोद्भवः ओजस्तेजो द्युतिकरो नर्तकः सर्वकामकः

Transliteration

bahuśruto bahumayo niyatātmā bhavodbhavaḥ ojastejo dyutikaro nartakaḥ sarvakāmakaḥ

Translation

Siya ang Lubos na Marunong, may sari-saring anyo, at may pagpipigil sa sarili. Siya ang pinagmumulan kung saan sumisibol ang bhava—ang pag-iral at pagiging. Siya ang lakas at tejas na espirituwal, tagapaglikha ng liwanag; si Nataraja, ang Kosmikong Mananayaw, na nagkakaloob ng katuparan ng lahat ng makatarungang hangarin.

Word by Word

• बहुश्रुतः: greatly learned, well-heard in sacred lore

• बहुमयः: of many forms, pervading as manifold manifestations

• नियतात्मा: self-controlled, inwardly disciplined

• भवोद्भवः: the origin/source of becoming and existence

• ओजस्: vigor, vital strength

• तेजः: spiritual brilliance, fiery splendor

• द्युतिकरः: maker of radiance, bestower of luminous clarity

• नर्तकः: dancer, the cosmic dancer (Naṭarāja aspect)

• सर्वकामकः: fulfiller of all desires, granter of boons

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s names to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents Shiva as the radiant, many-formed Pati who is invoked in Linga-puja for both inner purification (niyatātman) and the granting of dharma-aligned desires (sarvakāmaka).

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

Shiva is portrayed as the source of existence (bhavodbhava), simultaneously transcendent power (ojas, tejas) and immanent radiance (dyutikara), manifesting in many forms while remaining self-governed.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key yogic cue is niyatātman—disciplined restraint central to Pashupata-oriented practice—supporting the pashu’s release from pasha through steadiness, purity, and focused worship of the Linga.