Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

भूर्लोको ऽथ भुवर्लोकः स्वर्लोकश् च महस् तथा जनस्तपश् च सत्यं च विष्णुलोकस्ततः परम्

Transliteration

bhūrloko 'tha bhuvarlokaḥ svarlokaś ca mahas tathā janastapaś ca satyaṃ ca viṣṇulokastataḥ param

Translation

有地界（Bhūrloka），继而有空界（Bhuvarloka）与天界（Svarga）；又有摩诃界（Maharloka）、阇那界（Janaloka）、苦行界（Tapoloka）与真实界（Satyaloka）。超越此诸界者为毗湿奴之界；然即便彼界，亦在至上超越之主（Pati）——超出一切世界的湿婆（Śiva）之下。

Word by Word

• bhūḥ-lokaḥ: the earthly plane

• atha: then/next

• bhuvaḥ-lokaḥ: the atmospheric/intermediate plane

• svaḥ-lokaḥ: heaven (Svarga)

• ca: and

• mahaḥ: Maharloka

• tathā: likewise

• janaḥ: Janaloka

• tapaḥ: Tapoloka

• ca: and

• satyam: Satyaloka (Brahmaloka)

• ca: and

• viṣṇu-lokaḥ: the realm of Viṣṇu

• tataḥ: beyond that/thereafter

• param: higher, supreme, transcendent

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-puja as worship of the transcendent Pati (Śiva) who surpasses all graded worlds; the devotee’s aim is not merely heavenly ascent but liberation beyond cosmic realms.

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

By listing all lokas and then indicating a ‘beyond,’ it implies Śiva-tattva as supracosmic—greater than any created realm and the final refuge of the pashu (soul) when pasha (bondage) is cut.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Pashupata-oriented inner ascent: through Shiva-bhakti, mantra, and meditative withdrawal from loka-identifications, the seeker aims for the state beyond all worlds rather than temporary heavenly results.