Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

तमाह माता सुशुभं कुर्विति सुतरां सुतम् अनुज्ञातस्तया तत्र तपस्तेपे सुदुस्तरम्

Transliteration

tamāha mātā suśubhaṃ kurviti sutarāṃ sutam anujñātastayā tatra tapastepe sudustaram

Translation

Bấy giờ người mẹ nói với con: “Hãy làm điều cát tường nhất.” Được bà cho phép, ông ở đó thực hành một tapas vô cùng khắc nghiệt—kỷ luật kiên định hướng đến Thiện Tối Thượng; theo Shaiva, đó là sự quay vào nội tâm của paśu (linh hồn bị trói) hướng về Pati (Śiva), làm lỏng pāśa (xiềng buộc) bằng lời nguyện và thanh tịnh.

Word by Word

• तम् (tam): to him

• आह (āha): said

• माता (mātā): the mother

• सुशुभम् (suśubham): the most auspicious, highly благотворное

• कुर्व (kurva): do (imperative)

• इति (iti): thus

• सुतराम् (sutarām): exceedingly, very much

• सुतम् (sutam): the son

• अनुज्ञातः (anujñātaḥ): permitted, granted consent

• तया (tayā): by her

• तत्र (tatra): there

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity, disciplined spiritual practice

• तेपे (tepe): he performed, he undertook

• सुदुस्तरम् (sudustaram): extremely difficult, hard to cross/endure

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Mother
• Son

FAQs

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

It frames true worship as inner discipline: with right intention and blessing, the seeker undertakes tapas that purifies the paśu and prepares one for steadfast devotion to Pati—Śiva—beyond mere external ritual.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the supreme auspicious goal (suśubha) toward which tapas is directed—Pati who liberates by weakening pāśa through focused practice, purity, and unwavering resolve.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Severe tapas (austerity) as a yogic sādhana—akin to Pāśupata discipline—where endurance, restraint, and one-pointed intent function as worship that transforms the bound soul.