Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

श्वेतमुनिना कालस्य निग्रहः (मृत्युञ्जय-भक्ति-प्रसादः)

Devanagari script

ततो निशम्य कुपितस् तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रो भयङ्करः श्रुत्वा श्वेतस्य तद्वाक्यं पाशहस्तो भयावहः

Transliteration

tato niśamya kupitas tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭro bhayaṅkaraḥ śrutvā śvetasya tadvākyaṃ pāśahasto bhayāvahaḥ

Translation

听罢此言，他勃然大怒——狰狞可怖，利牙森然。及至听到尸吠多之语，那手执绳索（缚索）的可畏者，更添凶威。

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• niśamya: having heard

• kupitaḥ: enraged

• tīkṣṇa-daṃṣṭraḥ: sharp-fanged

• bhayaṅkaraḥ: fear-causing/terrible

• śrutvā: having heard

• śvetasya: of Śveta

• tad-vākyam: those words/that statement

• pāśa-hastaḥ: with a noose in hand

• bhayāvahaḥ: bringing fear/dreadful

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Śveta
• Pāśahasta (the noose-bearing fearful being)

FAQs

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

The verse heightens the contrast between pasha (bondage, symbolized by the noose) and the devotee’s refuge in Pati (Shiva). In Linga-centered devotion, surrender to Mahadeva is presented as the force that ultimately neutralizes fear and bondage.

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

Indirectly, it sets the stage for Shiva-tattva as the supreme overruler of fear: even when terrifying forces of limitation arise (pasha), the narrative framework of the Linga Purana consistently points to Shiva as Pati—beyond and capable of dissolving all constraints upon the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pāśupata orientation: recognize pasha (bondage and fear) and turn the mind toward Pati through steady devotion and remembrance (smaraṇa/bhakti), the inner discipline that makes the soul fearless in the face of binding forces.