Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

आज्योदनार्णवश्चैव फललेह्यार्णवस् तथा अपूपगिरयश्चैव भक्ष्यभोज्यार्णवः पुनः

Transliteration

ājyodanārṇavaścaiva phalalehyārṇavas tathā apūpagirayaścaiva bhakṣyabhojyārṇavaḥ punaḥ

Translation

确有以酥油（ghee）拌饭之海，果品之海与甜润膏食（lehya）之海；又有祭饼（apūpa）之山，并复有一切饮食之海——可食之物与熟供之品——皆显现为布施与礼敬所成之福果。

Word by Word

• ājya: ghee/clarified butter

• odana: cooked rice/food-rice

• arṇavaḥ: ocean/vast expanse

• ca eva: and indeed

• phala: fruits

• lehya: lickable sweet/linctus (confection)

• apūpa: cake/fritter/ritual pastry

• girayaḥ: mountains

• bhakṣya: edible (to be chewed)

• bhojya: cooked food fit to be eaten

• punaḥ: again/further

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents the vast abundance produced by offerings and charity connected to Shiva-puja—especially food and naivedya—showing that sincere giving in the Lord’s worship yields expansive merit (punya) and supportive conditions for spiritual progress.

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

While the verse lists the fruits of merit as abundant divine enjoyments, Shaiva Siddhanta reads this as Shiva (Pati) granting regulated bhoga to the pashu, gradually loosening pasha; the abundance is a sign of His lordship and grace, not the final goal itself.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights annadana and naivedya—offering ghee, rice, sweets, fruits, and prepared foods in Shiva worship—supporting purification of the devotee and accumulation of punya that can be directed toward higher sadhana.