Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

क्षीरं तत्र कुतो ऽस्माकं महादेवो न पूजितः पूर्वजन्मनि यद्दत्तं शिवमुद्यम्य वै सुत

Transliteration

kṣīraṃ tatra kuto 'smākaṃ mahādevo na pūjitaḥ pūrvajanmani yaddattaṃ śivamudyamya vai suta

Translation

“Con yêu, làm sao ở đó lại có sữa cho chúng ta, khi trong đời trước Mahādeva chưa từng được thờ phụng? Những gì đã bố thí khi ấy—chỉ khi kiên quyết nương tựa Śiva, gắng sức tinh cần, hỡi con—mới kết thành quả lành.”

Word by Word

• क्षीरम्: milk

• तत्र: there/in that situation

• कुतः: how/whence

• अस्माकम्: for us

• महादेवः: Mahadeva (Shiva)

• न: not

• पूजितः: worshipped/honoured

• पूर्वजन्मनि: in a former birth

• यत्: whatever

• दत्तम्: was given/has been donated

• शिवम्: Shiva (as refuge/goal)

• उद्यम्य: having undertaken/striving for

• वै: indeed

• सुत: O son

Speaker

Suta (narrating; verse contains an internal address 'O son')

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahadeva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva-puja as the root cause of auspicious sustenance and wellbeing; without honoring Mahadeva, even basic nourishment (symbolized by milk) is portrayed as unattainable or unstable.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the decisive refuge and giver of auspicious fruition—whose worship aligns the pashu (individual soul) away from pasha (bondage) and toward right karmic outcome.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is Shiva-puja and purposeful striving (udyama) toward Shiva—supported by dana (right giving)—as a practical discipline consistent with Shaiva sadhana rather than mere worldly effort.