Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

नन्दिकेश्वरोत्पत्तिः — Nandikesvara’s Origin, Shiva’s Boons, and the Rise of Sacred Rivers

Devanagari script

त्र्यक्षं दशभुजं शान्तं पञ्चवक्त्रं सदाशिवम् सरितश्चान्तरे पुण्ये स्थितं मां परमेश्वरः

Transliteration

tryakṣaṃ daśabhujaṃ śāntaṃ pañcavaktraṃ sadāśivam saritaścāntare puṇye sthitaṃ māṃ parameśvaraḥ

Translation

我见至上主宰（Parameśvara）立于两河之间的圣洁之境——常住湿婆（Sadāśiva）：三目、十臂、寂静安然、五面——以超越之主（Pati）而住，息灭众生（paśu）之系缚。

Word by Word

• त्र्यक्षम् (tryakṣam): three-eyed

• दशभुजम् (daśabhujam): ten-armed

• शान्तम् (śāntam): tranquil, pacified

• पञ्चवक्त्रम् (pañcavaktram): five-faced

• सदाशिवम् (sadāśivam): Sadāśiva, the ever-auspicious Shiva

• सरितः (saritaḥ): of rivers

• च (ca): and

• अन्तरे (antare): in the interval/between

• पुण्ये (puṇye): sacred, meritorious

• स्थितम् (sthitam): standing/abiding

• माम् (mām): me / (as read) I

• परमेश्वरः (parameśvaraḥ): the Supreme Lord

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal vision/account within the Purva-Bhaga narrative)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sadashiva
• Parameshvara

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as Sadāśiva—the transcendent Pati—whose serene, multi-faced form is the theological basis for worshipping the Liṅga as the formless presence revealed through sacred tīrthas.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as simultaneously immanent and transcendent: standing in a holy “in-between” space, yet revealed with five faces (pañcavaktra) and three eyes (tryakṣa), indicating omniscience and sovereign grace over pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tīrtha-sevana and darśana: seeking Shiva’s presence at sacred river-spaces, cultivating śānti (inner stillness) aligned with Pāśupata orientation toward the Pati who liberates the paśu.