Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

विनायकोत्पत्तिः / ताण्डव-प्रसङ्गः (दारुक-वधः, काली-उत्पत्तिः, क्षेत्रपालोत्पत्तिः)

Devanagari script

कृतमस्याः प्रसादार्थं देवदेवेन ताण्डवम् संध्यायां सर्वभूतेन्द्रैः प्रेतैः प्रीतेन शूलिना

Transliteration

kṛtamasyāḥ prasādārthaṃ devadevena tāṇḍavam saṃdhyāyāṃ sarvabhūtendraiḥ pretaiḥ prītena śūlinā

Translation

为赐予她恩典，诸神之神于暮时演舞檀陀婆（Tāṇḍava）；持三叉戟之主心生欢喜，诸般部多之首领与众多饿鬼（preta）侍从环绕。

Word by Word

• कृतम्: was performed/done

• अस्याः: of her

• प्रसादार्थम्: for the sake of grace/favor

• देवदेवेन: by the God of gods (Śiva)

• ताण्डवम्: the Tāṇḍava dance

• संध्यायाम्: at twilight (sandhyā-time)

• सर्वभूत-इन्द्रैः: by/with all the lords/chiefs of the bhūtas

• प्रेतैः: with pretas (ghostly beings)

• प्रीतेन: being pleased

• शूलिना: by the Trident-bearer (Śiva).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhutas
• Pretas

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva’s anugraha (bestowal of grace): the Tāṇḍava is portrayed as a divine act that pacifies and blesses, echoing Linga worship as a grace-centered approach where Pati uplifts the pashu beyond fear and impurity.

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

Śiva appears as Devadeva and Śūlin—sovereign Pati who commands even bhūtas and pretas—yet acts out of compassion to confer prasāda, showing lordship (aiśvarya) united with benevolence (anugraha).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds sandhyā-kāla (twilight) as a potent liminal time for Śiva-upāsanā; it also implies the Pāśupata ideal of transforming fearsome forces (bhūtas/pretas) through devotion and the Lord’s grace rather than mere control.