Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 163

Adhyaya 70: आदिसर्गः—महत्-अहङ्कार-तन्मात्रा-भूतसृष्टिः, ब्रह्माण्डावरणम्, प्रजासर्गः, त्रिमूर्ति-शैवाधिष्ठानम्

Devanagari script

विपर्ययेण भूतादिर् अशक्त्या च व्यवस्थितः प्रथमो महतः सर्गो विज्ञेयो ब्रह्मणः स्मृतः

Transliteration

viparyayeṇa bhūtādir aśaktyā ca vyavasthitaḥ prathamo mahataḥ sargo vijñeyo brahmaṇaḥ smṛtaḥ

Translation

Do sự đảo lộn (viparyaya) và do bất lực (aśakti), nguồn gốc nguyên sơ của các loài hữu tình an trụ trong tình trạng ấy. Điều này được truyền nhớ là sự phát xuất vĩ đại đầu tiên của Phạm Thiên (Brahmā)—sự sáng tạo khởi đầu từ Mahat (đại trí vũ trụ).

Word by Word

• विपर्ययेण: through inversion/error (viparyaya)

• भूतादिः: the beginning/source of beings (bhūta-ādi)

• अशक्त्या: through incapacity/powerlessness (aśakti)

• च: and

• व्यवस्थितः: established/settled in a state (vyavasthitaḥ)

• प्रथमः: first

• महतः: of Mahat, the Great Principle (mahat-tattva)

• सर्गः: creation/emanation (sarga)

• विज्ञेयः: to be understood/known

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā

• स्मृतः: remembered/so stated in tradition

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the cosmological teaching as preserved in the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames creation as conditioned by viparyaya and aśakti—bondage factors (pāśa) that the devotee seeks to transcend through Shiva’s grace; Linga worship is thus oriented toward purification of cognition and empowerment toward liberation.

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

By implication, Shiva as Pati is not limited by viparyaya or aśakti; these belong to the created order and to bound pashus. The verse contrasts conditioned creation with the need for the Lord’s liberating power beyond Mahat.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A direct ritual is not specified; the takeaway aligns with Pāśupata/Shaiva discipline: remove viparyaya through right knowledge (jñāna) and overcome aśakti through sustained sādhanā supported by Shiva-bhakti and mantra.