Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 72

क्षुपस्य विष्णुदर्शनं, वैष्णवस्तोत्रं, दधीचविवादः, स्थानेश्वरतीर्थमाहात्म्यं

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वानुगृह्य तं विप्रो दधीचस्तपतां वरः राजानं मुनिशार्दूलः शशाप च सुरोत्तमान्

Transliteration

śrutvānugṛhya taṃ vipro dadhīcastapatāṃ varaḥ rājānaṃ muniśārdūlaḥ śaśāpa ca surottamān

Translation

婆罗门达底吉（Dadhīci）——苦行者中的佼佼者，在听闻此事并施恩于他之后，国王啊，这位圣人中的猛虎，竟然对崇高的众神（Devas）降下了诅咒。

Word by Word

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• अनुगृह्य: having shown favor/compassion

• तम्: him

• विप्रः: the Brahmin sage

• दधीचः: Dadhichi

• तपताम् वरः: the best among those who practice austerity

• राजानम्: O king / to the king

• मुनिशार्दूलः: tiger among sages (great rishi)

• शशाप: cursed

• च: and

• सुरोत्तमान्: the best/exalted among the gods (Devas).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (outer narration, contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Dadhichi
• Devas

FAQs

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

It highlights that tapas and dharma upheld by realized rishis carry spiritual authority; in the Linga Purana’s Shaiva frame, such authority ultimately derives from Pati (Shiva), who empowers dharmic order that supports Linga-centered worship and discipline.

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

Though Shiva is not named, the verse reflects a Shaiva principle: even Devas are not absolute; higher law operates through tapas and truth. This points to Shiva-tattva as the supreme regulative reality (Pati) before whom all beings—including gods—remain accountable.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) is central—self-restraint and concentrated spiritual force, aligned with Pashupata-style discipline, where mastery over body and mind loosens pasha (bondage) for the pashu (soul).