Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Mahādeva’s Boon: Unwavering Bhakti, Tri-functional Cosmos, and the Supratiṣṭhā of Liṅga-Arcā

Devanagari script

श्रीमहादेव उवाच प्रलयस्थितिसर्गाणां कर्ता त्वं धरणीपते वत्स वत्स हरे विष्णो पालयैतच्चराचरम्

Transliteration

śrīmahādeva uvāca pralayasthitisargāṇāṃ kartā tvaṃ dharaṇīpate vatsa vatsa hare viṣṇo pālayaitaccarācaram

Translation

圣大天（摩诃提婆）说道：“噢，大地之主，亲爱的孩子——噢哈利，噢毗湿奴——在毁灭、维持与创造三业之中，你是被任命的行作者。因此，请护持这整个宇宙，动者与不动者皆然。”

Word by Word

• śrīmahādevaḥ: Śrī Mahādeva (Lord Śiva)

• uvāca: said

• pralaya: dissolution

• sthiti: sustenance/maintenance

• sargāṇām: of creations/emissions

• kartā: doer/agent

• tvam: you

• dharaṇīpate: O lord of the earth (sovereign)

• vatsa vatsa: dear child, dear child (term of affection)

• hare: O Hari

• viṣṇo: O Viṣṇu

• pālaya: protect, sustain

• etat: this

• carācaram: moving and unmoving beings/the entire world

Speaker

Shiva (Śrī Mahādeva)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Hari

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic order (creation–maintenance–dissolution) as divinely delegated, implying that Linga worship aligns the pashu (soul) with Pati’s governance and brings stability (sthiti) through devotion.

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

Śiva-tattva appears as the supreme Pati who authorizes functions within the cosmos while remaining the higher principle; even when Viṣṇu acts as kartā, it is under Mahādeva’s sovereign ordinance.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A direct practice is not named, but the takeaway supports Pāśupata orientation: cultivate protective dharma through Śiva-bhakti and Linga-upāsanā, recognizing the Lord as the inner ruler of all carācaram.