Shloka 5

अलिङ्ग-लिङ्ग-निरूपणं तथा प्राकृत-सृष्टिवर्णनम्

Devanagari script

सप्तधाचाष्टधा चैव तथैकादशधा पुनः लिङ्गान्यलिङ्गस्य तथा मायया विततानि तु

Transliteration

saptadhācāṣṭadhā caiva tathaikādaśadhā punaḥ liṅgānyaliṅgasya tathā māyayā vitatāni tu

Translation

复次，无相者（Aliṅga）——超越一切属性的至上主宰（Pati，湿婆）——其诸相（liṅga）由祂的摩耶铺陈展开，或为七重，或为八重，又复为十一重之显现。

Word by Word

• saptadhā: in seven ways

• ca: and

• aṣṭadhā: in eight ways

• caiva: indeed also

• tathā: likewise

• ekādaśadhā: in eleven ways

• punaḥ: again

• liṅgāni: signs/manifest forms (lingas)

• aliṅgasya: of the Markless/without sign (the transcendent Shiva)

• tathā: thus

• māyayā: by Māyā (power of manifestation/veiling)

• vitatāni: expanded, spread out

• tu: indeed

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It states that although Shiva is Aliṅga (beyond all signs), devotees approach Him through liṅgas—ordered manifestations structured as seven, eight, and elevenfold forms—making transcendence accessible to worship and contemplation.

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

Shiva is presented as the Markless Pati, untouched by limitation; yet, through Māyā He projects intelligible forms (liṅgas) without losing His transcendence—supporting the distinction between the supreme reality and its manifest expressions.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports liṅga-upāsanā and Pāśupata-style contemplation: the sādhaka focuses on Shiva’s manifest ‘signs’ as meditative supports while recognizing the ultimate Aliṅga beyond form.