Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

Adhyaya 45: Rudra as Sarvatma—Seven Lokas, Seven Talas, and the Cosmic Body of Shiva

Devanagari script

तलानां चैव सर्वेषां तावत्संख्या समाहिता सहस्रयोजनं व्योम दशसाहस्रमेव च

Transliteration

talānāṃ caiva sarveṣāṃ tāvatsaṃkhyā samāhitā sahasrayojanaṃ vyoma daśasāhasrameva ca

Translation

由是，诸下界层位（诸塔拉）之总数已汇集陈述。虚空（vyoman）的广度被说为一千由旬，亦说为一万由旬。

Word by Word

• तलानाम् (talānām): of the nether regions/underworld levels

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• सर्वेषाम् (sarveṣām): of all

• तावत् (tāvat): to that extent/so much

• संख्या (saṅkhyā): number, enumeration

• समाहिता (samāhitā): collected, summed up, set forth

• सहस्र-योजनम् (sahasra-yojanam): a thousand yojanas

• व्योम (vyoma): sky, space, firmament

• दश-साहस्रम् (daśa-sāhasram): ten thousand

• एव (eva): only/indeed

• च (ca): and

Speaker

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

FAQs

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

By quantifying the cosmic regions, the verse frames the Linga as the axis of worship that transcends measured realms—reminding the devotee that Pati (Shiva) is beyond all talas and vyoma, while the pasha-bound cosmos remains countable and conditioned.

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

Indirectly: it contrasts measurable cosmic space and worlds with the implied transcendence of Shiva-tattva. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, the enumerated universe belongs to pasha (bondage) and pashu (the soul within it), whereas Pati is not limited by such measures.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific puja-vidhi is stated; the takeaway supports contemplative practice (dhyana) used in Pashupata-oriented sadhana—reflecting on the finitude of cosmic strata to cultivate dispassion and turn the mind toward Shiva, the measureless Lord.