Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

कालादित्यसमाभासं दीर्घघोणं महास्वरम् ह्रस्वपादं विचित्राङ्गं जैत्रं दृढम् अनौपमम्

Transliteration

kālādityasamābhāsaṃ dīrghaghoṇaṃ mahāsvaram hrasvapādaṃ vicitrāṅgaṃ jaitraṃ dṛḍham anaupamam

Translation

他显现出末劫之日般的光辉——长吻，雷霆之声，短足，肢体奇妙；征胜无敌，坚固不动，实无与伦比——这是主宰帕提（湿婆）令人战栗的示现，使被缚之兽（pashu）在缚索（pāśa）中亦为之倾覆。

Word by Word

• kāla-āditya-samābhāsam: shining like the Time-Sun (the sun of dissolution)

• dīrgha-ghoṇam: long-snouted/long-nosed

• mahā-svaram: of a great (terrible) voice

• hrasva-pādam: short-footed

• vicitra-aṅgam: having extraordinary/variegated limbs

• jaitram: victorious, conquering

• dṛḍham: firm, steadfast

• anaupamam: incomparable, without peer

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Linga-prādurbhāva account)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It intensifies the awe (bhaya-bhakti) surrounding the Linga’s manifestation, showing that the Linga is not a mere emblem but the incomparable presence of Pati whose power subdues all limitation and prepares the devotee for surrender and worship.

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

Śiva is portrayed as an anaupama (peerless) reality—firm, victorious, and time-transcendent—whose manifestation can appear fearsome and extraordinary, yet functions as liberating grace that overcomes pāśa binding the pashu.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Pāśupata-oriented contemplation: meditating on Pati’s overwhelming form and power to loosen bondage (pāśa), fostering vairāgya and single-pointed devotion that culminates in Linga-pūjā.