Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 26

दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः

Devanagari script

भृगोर् अपि च शापेन विष्णुः परमवीर्यवान् प्रादुर्भावान्दश प्राप्तो दुःखितश् च सदा कृतः

Transliteration

bhṛgor api ca śāpena viṣṇuḥ paramavīryavān prādurbhāvāndaśa prāpto duḥkhitaś ca sadā kṛtaḥ

Translation

因婆利古（Bhṛgu）之诅咒，毗湿奴（Viṣṇu）虽具无上威力，却不得不示现十种化身，并被令常住于忧苦之中。由此《往世书》昭示：业力与天命的运作，皆在主宰帕提——湿婆（Śiva）的统摄之下。

Word by Word

• भृगोः: of Bhṛgu

• अपि: also/indeed

• च: and

• शापेन: by the curse

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu

• परम-वीर्यवान्: endowed with supreme power

• प्रादुर्भावान्: manifestations/appearances

• दश: ten

• प्राप्तः: obtained/attained

• दुःखितः: sorrowful/afflicted

• च: and

• सदा: always

• कृतः: made/caused to be

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Bhṛgu
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It underscores that even the greatest deities operate within the moral-cosmic order ultimately governed by Pati (Śiva); Linga worship centers on that supreme, formless authority beyond changing manifestations.

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

By implying that Viṣṇu’s incarnational course and suffering arise through ordained causality, it points to Śiva-tattva as the transcendent regulator (Pati) who upholds dharma and dispenses the fruits of actions within the cosmos.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practical takeaway is humility and restraint (niyama) in Pashupata-oriented discipline—recognizing pasha (bondage) as operative even for exalted beings, and seeking refuge in Mahādeva through Linga-upāsanā and inner detachment.