Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

रक्तकल्पे वामदेवदर्शनं चतुर्कुमारोत्पत्तिः

Devanagari script

रक्तकुङ्कुमलिप्ताङ्गा रक्तभस्मानुलेपनाः ततो वर्षसहस्रान्ते ब्रह्मत्वे ऽध्यवसायिनः

Transliteration

raktakuṅkumaliptāṅgā raktabhasmānulepanāḥ tato varṣasahasrānte brahmatve 'dhyavasāyinaḥ

Translation

他们以红色藏红花膏涂身，又以红色圣灰（bhasma）薰抹其体，誓愿坚定不移；及至千年圆满，便稳固安住于“梵性”（Brahmahood）之位——由湿婆法门的戒行而趋向至上之主宰帕提（Pati）。

Word by Word

• rakta: red

• kuṅkuma: saffron/pigment

• liptāṅgāḥ: having limbs smeared/anointed

• rakta-bhasma: red sacred ash

• anulepanāḥ: those who apply as unguent/smearing

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• varṣa-sahasra-ante: at the end of a thousand years

• brahmatve: in Brahmahood/the state of Brahman

• adhyavasāyinaḥ: resolute, firmly intent/committed

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights external Shaiva marks (bhasma and ritual anointing) as part of a long, disciplined vrata that supports inner orientation to Pati (Shiva), culminating in a liberative state described as Brahmahood.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the Supreme goal (Pati) toward which the practitioner becomes unwaveringly intent; the ‘Brahmahood’ attained is read as establishment in the Supreme reality through Shaiva sādhanā rather than mere ritual identity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Pashupata-style observance: sustained tapas with bodily anointing using sacred ash (bhasma) and ritual coloring (kuṅkuma), paired with firm resolve over an extended period (a thousand years as an idealized measure of endurance).