Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Vighneshvara-Prashna and Deva-Krita Shiva-Stava

Adhyaya 104

Devanagari script

पञ्चधा पञ्चकैवल्यदेवैरर्चितमूर्तये पञ्चाक्षरदृशे तुभ्यं परात्परतराय ते

Transliteration

pañcadhā pañcakaivalyadevairarcitamūrtaye pañcākṣaradṛśe tubhyaṃ parātparatarāya te

Translation

顶礼于汝——超越一切超越之至上者——汝之圣形为五位解脱（Kaivalya）天神以五重方式所礼赞，并以五音真言之观照「南无·湿婆耶（Namaḥ Śivāya）」而亲自显现。

Word by Word

• पञ्चधा: in fivefold manner

• पञ्चकैवल्यदेवैः: by the five deities connected with kaivalya (liberation)

• अर्चितमूर्तये: to Him whose form is worshipped/adored

• पञ्चाक्षरदृशे: to Him who is seen/realized through the five-syllable (pañcākṣara) mantra

• तुभ्यम्: to You

• परात्परतराय: to the One higher than the highest (beyond the beyond)

• ते: to You (dative sense, poetic repetition)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, within a hymn of praise to Shiva)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as a fivefold adoration of Shiva’s manifest aspects and declares that Shiva is realized through the pañcākṣara, making mantra and worship inseparable in approaching the Linga as Pati (the Lord).

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

Shiva is praised as parātparatara—transcending even the highest categories—yet accessible through a concrete upāya (means): the five-syllable mantra that grants direct recognition (dṛś) of the Lord beyond pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pañcākṣara-japa (Namaḥ Śivāya) as a Pāśupata-oriented upāya: disciplined repetition and contemplation that leads the pashu (soul) toward kaivalya by Shiva’s grace.