Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

आभ्यन्तरध्यान-तत्त्वगणना-चतुर्व्यूहयोगः

Adhyaya 28

Devanagari script

आनन्दं ब्रह्मणो विद्वान् न बिभेति कुतश्चन न भेतव्यं तथा तस्माज् ज्ञात्वानन्दं पिनाकिनः

Transliteration

ānandaṃ brahmaṇo vidvān na bibheti kutaścana na bhetavyaṃ tathā tasmāj jñātvānandaṃ pinākinaḥ

Translation

通达梵之喜乐者，毫无所惧。故亦当如是无畏——既已了知持弓者毗那迦（Pinākin，主湿婆）之喜乐；彼为至上之主宰（Pati），能解脱系缚灵魂（paśu）之绳索（pāśa）。

Word by Word

• ānandam: bliss

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahman/the Absolute

• vidvān: the wise one, knower

• na: not

• bibheti: fears

• kutaścana: from anywhere/anything whatsoever

• na bhetavyam: one should not fear

• tathā: likewise/indeed

• tasmāt: therefore

• jñātvā: having known/realized

• ānandam: bliss

• pinākinaḥ: of Pinākin, Śiva (bearer of the bow Pināka)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching as Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as a means to realize Śiva’s ānanda (bliss), and teaches that such realization destroys fear—the practical mark of approaching liberation (mokṣa) for the paśu.

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

Śiva is indicated as Pinākin and as the very locus of Brahmananda—transcendent bliss that, when known, reveals Him as Pati (the Lord) who frees the bound soul from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights jñāna-oriented Pāśupata practice: meditation and inner realization of Śiva’s ānanda, which culminates in fearlessness (abhaya) as a sign of spiritual maturity.