Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

द्रक्ष्यन्ति तद्द्विजा युक्ता ध्यानतत्परमानसाः यस्माच्चतुष्पदा ह्येषा त्वया दृष्टा सरस्वती

Transliteration

drakṣyanti taddvijā yuktā dhyānatatparamānasāḥ yasmāccatuṣpadā hyeṣā tvayā dṛṣṭā sarasvatī

Translation

那些持戒自律、心专于禅观的婆罗门圣见者，也将得见同一异象。因此你见到萨拉斯瓦蒂呈“四足”之相——为观想之心而显现为四重形态。

Word by Word

• द्रक्ष्यन्ति: they will see/they will behold

• तत्: that (truth/that vision)

• द्विजाः: the twice-born (brahmins)

• युक्ताः: yoked, disciplined, integrated in yoga

• ध्यान-तत्पर-मानसाः: whose minds are intent on meditation

• यस्मात्: because/since

• चतुष्पदा: four-footed, having four supports/aspects

• हि: indeed

• एषा: this (goddess)

• त्वया: by you

• दृष्टा: seen, beheld

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī (goddess of speech/knowledge, sacred river principle)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal account to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Sarasvati

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that true vision arises from dhyāna-yoga: disciplined brahmins can behold subtle divine realities, supporting the Shaiva view that worship of Pati (Shiva) matures into direct inner realization beyond outer form.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as knowable through yogic integration (yukti) and meditation; in Shaiva Siddhanta terms, the pashu (soul) moves from pasha-bound perception to purified insight, capable of beholding higher principles that ultimately culminate in awareness of Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dhyāna (meditative absorption) with a yoked mind (yukta-citta). The verse highlights contemplative practice as the means to perceive subtle manifestations—aligned with Pashupata-oriented inner discipline rather than mere external ritual.