Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

ब्रह्मणो वरप्रदानम् — शिवस्य परत्वप्रतिपादनम् तथा वराहेण भूमेः पुनःस्थापनम्

Devanagari script

दक्षमत्रिं वसिष्ठं च सो ऽसृजद् योगविद्यया संकल्पं चैव धर्मं च ह्य् अधर्मं भगवान्प्रभुः

Transliteration

dakṣamatriṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ ca so 'sṛjad yogavidyayā saṃkalpaṃ caiva dharmaṃ ca hy adharmaṃ bhagavānprabhuḥ

Translation

那位薄伽梵、至主（Pati），以瑜伽智力化生达叉（Dakṣa）、阿底利（Atri）与婆悉吒（Vasiṣṭha）；并且又显现意愿（saṅkalpa）、法（Dharma），乃至非法（Adharma），以示其对宇宙秩序及相对之力的自在主宰。

Word by Word

• दक्षम् (dakṣam): Daksha

• अत्रिम् (atrim): Atri

• वसिष्ठं (vasiṣṭham): Vasiṣṭha

• च (ca): and

• सः (saḥ): He

• असृजत् (asṛjat): created/brought forth

• योगविद्यया (yogavidyayā): by yogic knowledge/power

• संकल्पम् (saṅkalpam): intention, volition

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• धर्मम् (dharmam): Dharma, cosmic order

• च (ca): and

• हि (hi): indeed

• अधर्मम् (adharmam): Adharma, disorder

• भगवान् (bhagavān): the Blessed Lord

• प्रभुः (prabhuḥ): the sovereign, master.

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Daksha
• Atri
• Vasistha

FAQs

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

It grounds Linga worship in Shiva’s role as Pati—the supreme source of creation—showing that all orders of existence (including Dharma and its counterforce) arise under His sovereignty; thus the Linga is revered as the causal, governing Reality behind the cosmos.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as the Lord who transcends and yet manifests dualities: He generates sages and cosmic principles by yogic power, indicating a consciousness-based creation where even opposites function within His lordship rather than limiting Him.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights yogavidyā—creative, sovereign yoga—implying the Pāśupata orientation where disciplined union with Shiva’s will (saṅkalpa) is central, and spiritual practice aims to free the paśu (soul) from pāśa (bondage) under the grace of Pati.