Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53

एकार्णव-सृष्टिक्रमः, ब्रह्म-विष्णु-परस्परप्रवेशः, शिवस्य आगमनं च

Devanagari script

अस्मान् मयोह्यमानस्त्वं पद्मादवतर प्रभो नाहं भवन्तं शक्नोमि सोढुं तेजोमयं गुरुम्

Transliteration

asmān mayohyamānastvaṃ padmādavatara prabho nāhaṃ bhavantaṃ śaknomi soḍhuṃ tejomayaṃ gurum

Translation

噢主宰，你以光辉威势压覆我等——请降下吧，尊主，自莲华之上而下。我不能承受你，这由纯净炽烈之光所成的上师。

Word by Word

• अस्मान्: us

• मयोह्यमानः: overpowering/overwhelming

• त्वम्: you

• पद्मात्: from the lotus

• अवतर: descend

• प्रभो: O Lord

• न अहम्: I do not

• भवन्तम्: you (the revered one)

• शक्नोमि: am able

• सोढुम्: to endure/bear

• तेजोमयम्: composed of radiance/light

• गुरुम्: the Guru (supreme teacher)

Speaker

Brahma (within Suta’s narration to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga’s revelation as an encounter with unbearable divine tejas, implying that worship is a grace-mediated approach to the Pati (Shiva) whose true form exceeds ordinary perception.

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

Shiva is presented as Tejomaya—the luminous absolute—and as the supreme Guru, whose presence overwhelms limited beings (pashus) bound by pasha, necessitating compassionate ‘descent’ (avatara) for accessibility.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to the need for disciplined approach—Pashupata-oriented purification and devotional upasana—so the seeker can gradually become fit to receive Shiva’s radiance without being overpowered.