Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

Adhyaya 17: लिङ्गोद्भव—ब्रह्मविष्ण्वहङ्कार-शमनं, ओंकार-प्रादुर्भावः, मन्त्र-तत्त्वं च

Devanagari script

आकाशादीनि भूतानि भौतिकानि च लीलया इत्युक्तवति तस्मिंश् च मयि चापि वचस् तथा

Transliteration

ākāśādīni bhūtāni bhautikāni ca līlayā ityuktavati tasmiṃś ca mayi cāpi vacas tathā

Translation

当他以神圣的戏游（līlā）宣说：从虚空（ākāśa）起的一切诸大与诸大所生之物，皆不过是游戏般的显现时，那些话语在他身上为真，在我身上亦同样为真。

Word by Word

• आकाशादीनि: beginning with ether (ākāśa)

• भूतानि: the (gross) elements / beings

• भौतिकानि: material, elemental products

• च: and

• लीलया: as divine play, sport (līlā)

• इति: thus

• उक्तवति: when (he) said/declared

• तस्मिन्: in him / in that one

• च: and

• मयि: in me

• चापि: and also

• वचः: speech, statement, words

• तथा: likewise, in the same way, truly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating; reporting an internal statement within the Linga manifestation narrative)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the entire elemental cosmos (bhūta and bhautika) as Shiva’s līlā, so Linga worship is not merely material ritual but recognition of Pati as the source and inner truth of all manifested elements.

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

Shiva is implied as the sovereign ground in whom statements about the arising of the elements are ‘true’; he stands as Pati who pervades and validates creation while remaining more fundamental than the elemental order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Pashupata-oriented contemplation is suggested: perceive the pañca-bhūtas and their products as līlā of Pati; this insight weakens pāśa (bondage) and supports inner worship alongside external Linga-pūjā.