Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 69

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

Devanagari script

तस्मादण्डोद्भवो जज्ञे त्व् अकाराख्यश्चतुर्मुखः स स्रष्टा सर्वलोकानां स एव त्रिविधः प्रभुः

Transliteration

tasmādaṇḍodbhavo jajñe tv akārākhyaścaturmukhaḥ sa sraṣṭā sarvalokānāṃ sa eva trividhaḥ prabhuḥ

Translation

由彼处生出四面者，出自宇宙卵，名为“阿迦罗（A-kāra）”。他是诸世界的创造者；而同一位主又以三重方式显现（显现、维持、摄收），一切皆在帕提——湿婆——的主权之下。

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: from that (source)

• अण्ड-उद्भवः: born from the cosmic egg

• जज्ञे: was born

• तु: indeed

• अकार-आख्यः: named/known as ‘A-kāra’

• चतुर्मुखः: four-faced (Brahmā)

• सः: he

• स्रष्टा: creator

• सर्व-लोकानाम्: of all worlds

• सः एव: he alone/indeed he

• त्रिविधः: threefold (as the triad of cosmic functions)

• प्रभुः: Lord, sovereign

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the cosmogony within the Linga Purana framework)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Brahmā’s creative power as derivative—arising from a higher cosmic source—supporting Liṅga theology where the visible universe and its creator function under the supremacy of Pati (Śiva), the ultimate ground signified by the Liṅga.

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

By implying a threefold lordship behind cosmic functions, it points to Śiva-tattva as the sovereign principle that empowers creation, maintenance, and dissolution, while remaining the transcendent Pati over all tattvas and beings (paśus).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pāśupata orientation: contemplative recognition that all agency—including Brahmā’s sṛṣṭi—is dependent on Pati; such discernment (viveka) supports Liṅga-upāsanā and inner worship that loosens pāśa (bondage).