Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मघ्नश् च सुरापश् च स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः शरणागतघाती च मित्रविश्वासघातकः

Transliteration

brahmaghnaś ca surāpaś ca steyī ca gurutalpagaḥ śaraṇāgataghātī ca mitraviśvāsaghātakaḥ

Translation

Kẻ sát hại Bà-la-môn, kẻ uống rượu say, kẻ trộm cắp, kẻ phạm giường của guru, kẻ giết người đến nương tựa, và kẻ phản bội lòng tin của bạn—đều bị kể vào hàng trọng tội, bị trói buộc bởi pāśa (xiềng xích), cần sám hối thanh tịnh và ân điển của Śiva để được giải thoát.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मघ्न (brahmaghna): slayer of a brāhmaṇa

• च (ca): and

• सुराप (surāpa): drinker of liquor/intoxicants

• च (ca): and

• स्तेयी (steyī): thief

• च (ca): and

• गुरुतल्पग (gurutalpagaḥ): one who violates the guru’s bed (grave transgressor)

• शरणागतघाती (śaraṇāgataghātī): killer of a person who has taken refuge

• च (ca): and

• मित्रविश्वासघातक (mitraviśvāsaghātakaḥ): betrayer of a friend’s trust

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teachings to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as a refuge-oriented Shaiva path where even those burdened by mahāpātakas must seek purification and ultimately Śiva’s anugraha (grace) to loosen pāśa and return to dharma.

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

By implication, Śiva is Pati—the sovereign Lord beyond the pashu’s karmic knots—whose grace and prescribed purifications can lift even severe bondage when the soul turns from betrayal and violence toward surrender and rectitude.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Prāyaścitta (expiatory discipline) is foregrounded—typically including Śiva-pūjā, mantra-japa, vrata, and acts of restitution—supported by inner reform aligned with Pāśupata-style renunciation of harmful conduct.