Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

रक्तकल्पे वामदेवदर्शनं चतुर्कुमारोत्पत्तिः

Devanagari script

ये ऽपि चान्ये द्विजश्रेष्ठा युञ्जाना वाममीश्वरम् प्रपश्यन्ति महादेवं तद्भक्तास् तत्परायणाः

Transliteration

ye 'pi cānye dvijaśreṣṭhā yuñjānā vāmamīśvaram prapaśyanti mahādevaṃ tadbhaktās tatparāyaṇāḥ

Translation

噢，最胜的二次生者！另有诸人亦然——以严谨的瑜伽行持，观想主宰于其伐摩（Vāma，與Śakti合一）之相——便得亲见大天（Mahādeva）。他们是他的奉爱者（bhakta），以他为至上归依而全然归向。

Word by Word

• ये अपि (ye ’pi): even those

• च (ca): and

• अन्ये (anye): others

• द्विजश्रेष्ठाः (dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ): O best of the twice-born

• युञ्जानाः (yuñjānāḥ): engaging/applying themselves (in yoga)

• वामम् (vāmam): the Vāma/leftward aspect (Śakti-associated)

• ईश्वरम् (īśvaram): the Lord

• प्रपश्यन्ति (prapaśyanti): behold clearly/directly perceive

• महादेवम् (mahādevam): Mahādeva (Great God, Śiva)

• तद्भक्ताः (tadbhaktāḥ): His devotees

• तत्परायणाः (tatparāyaṇāḥ): those whose highest goal/refuge is Him alone

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahadeva
• Ishvara

FAQs

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

It links Linga-centered devotion with inner realization: those established in worship and yogic discipline gain direct perception (darśana) of Mahādeva, affirming that the Linga is a gateway to experiencing Pati beyond mere external ritual.

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

Śiva is presented as Īśvara and Mahādeva who can be directly ‘seen’ when the pashu (soul) turns fully toward Him; as Pati, He is approachable through bhakti and yoga, especially in His Śakti-united (Vāma) manifestation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes yuj- (yoga-application): sustained contemplative practice focused on Īśvara’s Vāma aspect—i.e., meditative integration of Śiva with Śakti—leading to clear darśana and unwavering devotion (tatparāyaṇatā).