Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Adhyaya 35 — दधीचि-क्षुप-युद्धम्, भार्गवोपदेशः, मृतसंजीवनी (त्र्यम्बक) मन्त्रः

Devanagari script

इन्द्रस्यापि च देवानां तस्माद्वै पुष्टिवर्धनः तं देवममृतं रुद्रं कर्मणा तपसा तथा

Transliteration

indrasyāpi ca devānāṃ tasmādvai puṣṭivardhanaḥ taṃ devamamṛtaṃ rudraṃ karmaṇā tapasā tathā

Translation

因此，对因陀罗以及一切天众而言，唯有祂是增长力量与滋养之主。那不死的神祇——鲁陀罗——应以神圣之行(karma)与苦行(tapas)而亲近、而礼敬；因为祂是赐能于天军的主宰Pati。

Word by Word

• इन्द्रस्य (indrasya): of Indra

• अपि (api): also

• च (ca): and

• देवानाम् (devānām): of the gods/Devas

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore/from that reason

• वै (vai): indeed

• पुष्टिवर्धनः (puṣṭi-vardhanaḥ): increaser of nourishment, prosperity, vitality

• तम् (tam): that (Him)

• देवम् (devam): the Deity

• अमृतम् (amṛtam): immortal, deathless

• रुद्रम् (rudram): Rudra (Shiva)

• कर्मणा (karmaṇā): by ritual action/duty, by sacred acts

• तपसा (tapasā): by austerity, disciplined spiritual heat

• तथा (tathā): thus/also/in that manner.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana; summarizing the praise of Rudra to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Devas
• Rudra
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva (Rudra) as the source of puṣṭi—vital nourishment and power—even for Indra and the Devas; hence Linga-worship is presented as worship of the supreme Pati who sustains all cosmic functions.

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

Shiva-tattva is indicated as amṛta (deathless) and as puṣṭi-vardhana (the one who increases vitality). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Rudra is Pati: independent, sustaining, and capable of granting strength to all bound beings (pashus), including celestial powers.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Two complementary means are emphasized: karma (Vedic/shaiva sacred action such as puja, homa, vrata) and tapas (disciplined austerity aligned with Pashupata-oriented inner purification).