Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 163

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

ततस्तत्र विभुर्दृष्ट्वा तथाभूतं हरो हरिम् तस्मादवतताराशु मण्डलात्पावकस्य च

Transliteration

tatastatra vibhurdṛṣṭvā tathābhūtaṃ haro harim tasmādavatatārāśu maṇḍalātpāvakasya ca

Translation

Bấy giờ Hara—đấng Toàn Biến—thấy Hari trong cảnh ấy, liền mau chóng giáng xuống từ vòng lửa rực cháy kia—do lòng từ bi tối thượng, để lập lại trật tự và dẫn dắt các paśu bị trói buộc hướng về Pati, Đấng Chủ Tể.

Word by Word

• ततः: then

• तत्र: there

• विभुः: the all-pervading Lord

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen

• तथाभूतम्: in that state/condition

• हरः: Hara (Shiva)

• हरिम्: Hari (Vishnu)

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that

• अवततार: descended

• आशु: swiftly

• मण्डलात्: from the circle/orb

• पावकस्य: of fire

• च: and/also

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Agni

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva (Hara) as the transcendent yet accessible Pati who manifests and descends for lokasaṅgraha—establishing the Linga’s symbolism as the fiery, formless source that becomes approachable through grace.

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

Shiva is called vibhū (all-pervading) and shown as freely acting (svātantrya): He observes, responds, and descends from the fiery sphere, indicating both transcendence (beyond form) and immanence (active compassion).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights divine anugraha (grace), the key principle behind Pashupata Yoga: liberation occurs when Pati intervenes to loosen pāśa (bondage), making worship and disciplined practice efficacious.