Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

उमास्वयंवरः / भवोद्वाहः, गणसमागमः, अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम्, तथा विनायक-उत्पत्तिसूचना

Devanagari script

अस्य देवस्य रुद्रस्य मूर्तिभिर् विहितं जगत् क्ष्माबग्निखेन्दुसूर्यात्मपवनात्मा यतो भवः

Transliteration

asya devasya rudrasya mūrtibhir vihitaṃ jagat kṣmābagnikhendusūryātmapavanātmā yato bhavaḥ

Translation

Toàn thể thế giới này được tạo tác bởi các hình tướng hiển lộ của Thần Rudra. Từ Ngài phát sinh Bhava, tự thân là đất, nước, lửa, hư không, trăng, mặt trời và gió—tỏ rõ Chúa Tể (Pati) là đấng nội tại điều ngự các đại và các quang thể.

Word by Word

• अस्य (asya): of this

• देवस्य (devasya): of the God

• रुद्रस्य (rudrasya): of Rudra

• मूर्तिभिः (mūrtibhiḥ): by the forms/manifestations

• विहितम् (vihitam): arranged, fashioned, constituted

• जगत् (jagat): the world, moving universe

• क्ष्मा (kṣmā): earth

• अप्/अब् (ap/ab): water

• अग्नि (agni): fire

• खे (khe): space/ether

• इन्दु (indu): moon

• सूर्य (sūrya): sun

• आत्म (ātma): as the very self, embodying

• पवन (pavana): wind

• यतः (yataḥ): from whom

• भवः (bhavaḥ): Bhava (a name/form of Śiva).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching on Rudra’s cosmic forms to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Shiva
• Bhava
• Earth
• Water
• Fire
• Space
• Moon
• Sun
• Wind

FAQs

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

It grounds Linga worship in cosmic theology: the Linga signifies Rudra as the source and support of the entire jagat, present as the inner reality of elements and lights, so worship is directed to the Pati who pervades all forms.

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

It portrays Shiva/Rudra as both transcendent Lord and immanent controller—manifesting as elemental and luminous principles while remaining the causal source from whom Bhava (a Shiva-form) arises.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Elemental contemplation (bhūta-dhyāna/bhūta-śuddhi) aligned with Pāśupata orientation—meditating on Rudra as the Self of earth, water, fire, space, moon, sun, and wind to loosen pāśa (bondage) upon the paśu (soul).