Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

गव्यं क्षीरम् अतिस्वादु नाल्पमुष्णं नमाम्यहम् सूत उवाच उपलालितैवं पुत्रेण पुत्रम् आलिङ्ग्य सादरम्

Transliteration

gavyaṃ kṣīram atisvādu nālpamuṣṇaṃ namāmyaham sūta uvāca upalālitaivaṃ putreṇa putram āliṅgya sādaram

Translation

“牛乳——极其甘美，且不甚热——我以恭敬之心向其顶礼。”苏多说道：儿子如此撒娇依恋，父亲便满怀慈爱与敬意拥抱儿子。

Word by Word

• gavyaṃ: from a cow, bovine

• kṣīram: milk

• ati-svādu: exceedingly sweet/pleasant

• na-alpa-uṣṇam: not excessively hot (mildly warm)

• namāmi: I bow/salute

• aham: I

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• upalālita-evam: thus caressed/fondled

• putreṇa: by (his) son

• putram: (his) son

• āliṅgya: having embraced

• sādaram: with respect/affection

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Suta

FAQs

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

It highlights the sanctity of pure, sāttvika offerings (like properly prepared cow’s milk) and the devotional attitude (namāmi) that underlies effective Linga-pūjā.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva as Pati who is approached through purity and reverence: refined offerings and affectionate devotion become means to loosen pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A pūjā-oriented discipline: using clean dravyas (milk that is sweet and suitably warm) with a bowed, humble mind—supporting sāttvika conduct aligned with Pāśupata-oriented inner purification.