Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 36

मदनदाहः — पार्वतीतपः, स्वयंवरलीला, देवस्तम्भनं, दिव्यचक्षुर्दानम्

Devanagari script

स्तम्भिता देवदेवेन तथान्ये च दिवौकसः शिरः प्रकम्पयन् विष्णुश् चक्रम् उद्यम्य संस्थितः

Transliteration

stambhitā devadevena tathānye ca divaukasaḥ śiraḥ prakampayan viṣṇuś cakram udyamya saṃsthitaḥ

Translation

诸天亦为天中之天所制，尽皆被持而不动。于是毗湿奴—惊异而摇首—挺立待发，高举其轮（神盘）。

Word by Word

• स्तम्भिता (stambhitā): immobilized, arrested

• देवदेवेन (devadevena): by the God of gods (Mahādeva, Pati)

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• अन्ये (anye): others

• च (ca): and

• दिवौकसः (divaukasaḥ): the inhabitants of heaven, devas

• शिरः (śiraḥ): head

• प्रकम्पयन् (prakampayan): shaking, trembling

• विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ): Vishnu

• चक्रम् (cakram): discus (Sudarśana)

• उद्यम्य (udyamya): having lifted, raising

• संस्थितः (saṃsthitaḥ): stood ready, remained stationed.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Devas

FAQs

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

It underscores that the Linga/Stambha is not a mere symbol but the living presence of Pati (Shiva), before whom even the Devas’ motion and power are restrained—teaching worship as surrender rather than display of force.

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

Shiva appears as Devadeva, the transcendent Lord who can “stambh” (arrest) the gods themselves—indicating supreme sovereignty over Pashu (individual beings) and over Pasha (limitations), including divine pride and reliance on weapons.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is Pāśupata-bhāva: humility and inner stilling (stambhana of ego and agitation) before Pati—valuing devotion and self-restraint over external power, even when one possesses celestial instruments like the Sudarśana.