Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 138

Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः

Devanagari script

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तेषां श्रुत्वा शब्दाननेकशः कुम्भोदरो महातेजा दण्डेनाताडयत्सुरान्

Transliteration

etasminnantare teṣāṃ śrutvā śabdānanekaśaḥ kumbhodaro mahātejā daṇḍenātāḍayatsurān

Translation

Ngay lúc ấy, nghe những tiếng kêu náo loạn dồn dập của họ, Kumbhodara—rực sáng đại uy lực—liền dùng gậy đánh vào chư thiên, bẻ gãy kiêu mạn và làm tan tác ý chí của họ.

Word by Word

• एतस्मिन् अन्तरे: in the meantime

• तेषाम्: of them

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• शब्दान्: sounds/cries

• अनेकशः: repeatedly/in many ways

• कुम्भोदरः: Kumbhodara (a powerful being/warrior, often counted among fierce attendants)

• महातेजाः: possessing great splendor/energy

• दण्डेन: with a staff/rod

• अताडयत्: struck/beat

• सुरान्: the Devas (gods)

Speaker

Suta (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhodara
• Devas (Suras)

FAQs

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

It underscores that even the Devas are not autonomous; true refuge is Pati (Shiva). Linga worship trains the pashu (soul) to relinquish pride—an inner pasha (bondage)—and submit to Shiva’s cosmic governance.

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

Though Shiva is not named directly, his sovereignty is implied through the overpowering agency of his side—fierce, disciplined forces that restore order. Shiva-tattva functions as the supreme regulator: when dharma is disturbed by ego and noise, it is restrained.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pashupata discipline: restraint (niyama) and the curbing of rajasic agitation. The “staff” imagery suggests inner danda—self-control—by which the pashu becomes fit for Shiva-bhakti and Linga-upasana.