Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

Vighneshvara-Prashna and Deva-Krita Shiva-Stava

Adhyaya 104

Devanagari script

अथ शृणु भगवन् स्तवच्छलेन कथितमजेन्द्रमुखैः सुरासुरेशैः /* मखमदनयमाग्निदक्षयज्ञक्षपणविचित्रविचेष्टितं क्षमस्व

Transliteration

atha śṛṇu bhagavan stavacchalena kathitamajendramukhaiḥ surāsureśaiḥ /* makhamadanayamāgnidakṣayajñakṣapaṇavicitraviceṣṭitaṃ kṣamasva

Translation

如今，噢吉祥的主啊，请垂听——以赞颂为名而宣说的——由梵天以及诸天与阿修罗之主所陈之言。愿汝宽恕汝那奇妙的作为之显现：降伏摩诃（Makha），挫折魔弹那（Madana），制止阎摩与火神阿耆尼，并以非凡之势毁灭达刹（Dakṣa）之祭祀。

Word by Word

• अथ: now

• शृणु: listen

• भगवन्: O Lord

• स्तवच्छलेन: under the pretext/guise of praise

• कथितम्: spoken, narrated

• अजेन्द्रमुखैः: by Brahmā and foremost ones (led by Aja/Brahmā)

• सुरासुरेशैः: by the lords of gods and demons

• मख: Makha (personified sacrifice/ritual)

• मदन: Madana (Kāma, desire)

• यम: Yama (lord of death)

• अग्नि: Agni (fire-god)

• दक्षयज्ञ: Dakṣa’s sacrifice

• क्षपण: destruction, annihilation

• विचित्र: wondrous, extraordinary

• विचेष्टितम्: deeds, divine actions

• क्षमस्व: forgive (please pardon).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the internal supplication/praise addressed to Shiva)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Devas
• Asuras
• Makha
• Madana (Kama)
• Yama
• Agni
• Daksha

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the supreme Pati whose grace, not ritual pride, sanctifies worship—implying that Linga-puja must be grounded in humility and surrender rather than mere sacrificial display.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as transcendent and sovereign over cosmic powers (Agni, Yama) and over ritual itself (Makha/Daksha-yajna), revealing that all functions operate by His will and can be restrained by His līlā.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A key Pāśupata orientation is highlighted: kṣamā-prārthanā (seeking forgiveness) and ego-purification—recognizing that attachment to karma-kāṇḍa (ritual merit) can become pāśa unless offered to Shiva with devotion.