Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

मदनदाहः — पार्वतीतपः, स्वयंवरलीला, देवस्तम्भनं, दिव्यचक्षुर्दानम्

Devanagari script

तत्र ते स्तम्भितास्तेन तथैव सुरसत्तमाः प्रणेमुर् मनसा सर्वे सनारायणकाः प्रभुम्

Transliteration

tatra te stambhitāstena tathaiva surasattamāḥ praṇemur manasā sarve sanārāyaṇakāḥ prabhum

Translation

Tại đó, do quyền năng ấy ngăn giữ, các bậc tối thắng trong chư thiên vẫn đứng y như cũ; và tất cả—cùng với Nārāyaṇa—đều cúi lạy trong tâm đối với Đấng Tối Thượng (Pati).

Word by Word

• तत्र (tatra): there

• ते (te): they

• स्तम्भिताः (stambhitāḥ): immobilized, restrained, made to stand still

• तेन (tena): by that (power/manifestation)

• तथैव (tathaiva): just so, in that very manner

• सुरसत्तमाः (surasattamāḥ): the best among the gods

• प्रणेमुः (praṇemuḥ): bowed down, paid obeisance

• मनसा (manasā): mentally, within the mind

• सर्वे (sarve): all

• सनारायणकाः (sa-nārāyaṇakāḥ): along with Nārāyaṇa (Vishnu)

• प्रभुम् (prabhum): the Lord, the Master (Pati)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu (Narayana)
• Devas

FAQs

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

It shows the Devas being halted by the divine manifestation (stambha/linga-like sign of the Absolute) and responding with inner surrender, implying that true Linga-worship begins with recognition of Pati’s supremacy beyond celestial power.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as the sovereign Pati who can restrain even the greatest Devas; the proper response is manasa-praṇāma—acknowledging the Lord as transcendent controller of pasha (bondage) and the bestower of release.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mental prostration (mānasa-pūjā / manasa praṇāma) is highlighted—an inward act aligned with Pashupata discipline, where devotion and surrender precede external rites.