Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

Adhyaya 50 — देवपुर्यः, पुराणि, आयतनानि च; श्रीकण्ठाधिपत्य-प्रतिपादनम्

Devanagari script

अनन्तेशादयस्त्वेवं प्रत्येकं चाण्डपालकाः चक्रवर्तिन इत्युक्तास् ततो विद्येश्वरास्त्विह

Transliteration

ananteśādayastvevaṃ pratyekaṃ cāṇḍapālakāḥ cakravartina ityuktās tato vidyeśvarāstviha

Translation

因此，阿难多伊湿伐罗（Ananteśa）等诸尊——各守其分域——皆为诸宇宙之卵（aṇḍa）的护持者。他们被称为“转轮王”（cakravartin），普世之君；故在此亦名为“明知自在”（Vidyeśvara），即神圣知识之主，为护持湿婆之法度而安立。

Word by Word

• अनन्तेशादयः: Ananteśa and the others

• तु: indeed/and

• एवम्: thus

• प्रत्येकम्: individually, each one

• च: and

• अण्डपालकाः: protectors/guardians of the cosmic egg (universe)

• चक्रवर्तिनः: universal rulers, sovereigns

• इति: thus

• उक्ताः: called, said to be

• ततः: therefore, hence

• विद्येश्वराः: Vidyeśvaras (Lords presiding over divine knowledge/powers)

• तु: indeed

• इह: here (in this context/world-order).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Anantesha
• Vidyeshvaras

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva’s cosmic sovereignty: the Vidyeśvaras function as His delegated governors, so Linga worship is presented not merely as devotion but as alignment with the supreme Pati who sustains the order of all universes.

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

Śiva-tattva appears as the supreme source of authority and knowledge, from whom the Vidyeśvaras derive their rulership—indicating that governance, protection, and vidyā ultimately rest in the Lord (Pati), beyond the limited powers of the pashu.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes vidyā and lordship rather than a specific rite; in a Pāśupata reading, it supports contemplative worship (dhyāna of the Linga as Pati) that loosens pāśa by recognizing Śiva as the inner ruler over all spheres.