Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 64

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

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन प्रहसन्निव शङ्करः दत्त्वेप्सितं हि विप्राय तत्रैवान्तरधीयत

Transliteration

evamuktastadā tena prahasanniva śaṅkaraḥ dattvepsitaṃ hi viprāya tatraivāntaradhīyata

Translation

他如此祈请时，商羯罗仿佛微微含笑，赐予婆罗门所求之愿；随即就在彼处，主从视野中隐没——昭示：主宰（Pati）唯以其意志施恩，不为任何形相所系。

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• uktas: addressed/spoken to

• tadā: then

• tena: by him

• prahasann iva: as if smiling

• śaṅkaraḥ: Shankara (Shiva, the auspicious one)

• dattvā: having given

• īpsitam: the desired (boon/object)

• hi: indeed

• viprāya: to the brahmana

• tatra eva: right there

• antaradhīyata: vanished/disappeared (became unseen)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; Shiva acts within the narrative)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahmana (Vipra)

FAQs

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

It highlights Shiva’s anugraha (grace): the Lord grants the devotee’s desired fruit and then becomes unseen, implying that the true object of worship is not merely a visible form but the ever-present Pati revealed through devotion and purity.

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

Shiva appears compassionate and approachable (smiling, granting a boon) yet remains transcendent—He can withdraw from perception at will, showing He is not limited by body or location, the supreme Pati who governs manifestation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse chiefly emphasizes bhakti and surrender as the gateway to anugraha; in a Pashupata sense, grace initiates the pashu’s release from pasha, after which disciplined worship (puja) and inner steadiness (yoga) mature the realization.