Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Adhyaya 23: श्वेत-लोहित-पीत-कृष्ण-विश्व-कल्पेषु रुद्रस्वरूप-गायत्री-तत्त्ववर्णनम्

Devanagari script

ये मां रुद्रं च रुद्राणीं गायत्रीं वेदमातरम् वेत्स्यन्ति तपसा युक्ता विमला ब्रह्मसंगताः

Transliteration

ye māṃ rudraṃ ca rudrāṇīṃ gāyatrīṃ vedamātaram vetsyanti tapasā yuktā vimalā brahmasaṃgatāḥ

Translation

凡以苦行（tapas）自律而真实了知我为鲁陀罗（Rudra）、为鲁陀罗妮（Rudrāṇī）、并为伽耶特丽（Gāyatrī）——吠陀之母——者，皆得净化清明，与梵（Brahman）相应，证得与至上主（Pati）相契，超越一切系缚（pāśa）。

Word by Word

• ये (ye): those who

• मां (mām): Me

• रुद्रं (rudraṃ): Rudra (Shiva)

• च (ca): and

• रुद्राणीं (rudrāṇīm): Rudrani (Shakti/Parvati)

• गायत्रीं (gāyatrīm): Gayatri

• वेदमातरम् (vedamātaram): Mother of the Vedas

• वेत्स्यन्ति (vetsyanti): will know/realize

• तपसा (tapasā): by austerity/inner heat of discipline

• युक्ता (yuktā): yoked/steadfastly engaged

• विमला (vimalā): stainless/pure

• ब्रह्मसंगताः (brahmasaṃgatāḥ): united with Brahman/attained Brahman-communion

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching stream to the sages, echoing Rudra-centric doctrine)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra (Shiva)
• Rudrani (Shakti/Parvati)
• Gayatri
• Brahman

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-centered devotion as inner realization: knowing Rudra (Pati) together with Rudrani (Shakti) and Gayatri (Vedic power) through tapas purifies the worshipper and culminates in Brahman-communion, making external worship fruitful through inner transformation.

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

Shiva is presented as Rudra who is not separate from Shakti (Rudrani) and is approachable through the Vedic mother-mantra (Gayatri). Realization of this unity elevates the pashu (individual soul) beyond pasha (bondage) into brahma-saṅgati (union with the Supreme).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas-yoga—disciplined austerity and focused sadhana—paired with mantra-jnana (Gayatri) and Rudra-Shakti contemplation, implying japa, purity (vimala), and steady integration (yukta) as the means to liberation.