Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 74

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

विरोचनः सुरगणो विद्येशो विबुधाश्रयः बालरूपो बलोन्माथी विवर्तो गहनो गुरुः

Transliteration

virocanaḥ suragaṇo vidyeśo vibudhāśrayaḥ bālarūpo balonmāthī vivarto gahano guruḥ

Translation

Siya si Virocana, ang Nagniningning; Siya ang mismong kapulungan ng mga Deva; ang Panginoon ng mga banal na vidya at kanlungan ng mga pantas. Nagpapakita Siya bilang kabataang anyo, ngunit Siya ang Dumudurog sa pagmamataas ng lakas. Siya ang mahiwagang Tagapagbagong-anyo at ang Di-masukat—ang Kataas-taasang Guru (Pati) na nagkakaloob ng tunay na kaalaman upang putulin ang pāśa ng pagkaalipin mula sa paśu.

Word by Word

• विरोचनः: the radiant/illuminating One

• सुरगणः: the assembly/host of the gods (and the One who leads them)

• विद्येशः: Lord of knowledge/sacred sciences

• विबुधाश्रयः: refuge/support of the wise and awakened

• बालरूपः: one whose form is youthful/childlike

• बलोन्माथी: crusher of strength (one who humbles overpowering pride)

• विवर्तः: transformer/one who brings reversal or turning

• गहनः: deep, unfathomable, mysterious

• गुरुः: teacher, spiritual preceptor, supreme guru

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a Shiva Sahasranama tradition to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga worship as approach to Shiva as the living Guru and inner Light (Virocana)—the refuge of the wise—so the devotee’s pasha (bondage) is weakened through knowledge (vidyā) and surrender to Pati.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as simultaneously accessible (bālarūpa, gentle nearness) and transcendent (gahana, unfathomable), ruling over knowledge (vidyeśa) and effecting inner transformation (vivarta) that humbles egoic strength (balonmāthī).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse chiefly emphasizes jñāna-oriented Pashupata orientation: taking Shiva as Guru, cultivating inner illumination and humility—an essential prerequisite for effective Linga-pūjā and yogic release of the pashu from pasha.