Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28

Bhūtavana–Kailāsa–Mandākinī–Rudrapurī: Śiva’s Jeweled Abodes and Perpetual Worship

Devanagari script

तत्रापि सगणः साम्बः क्रीडते ऽद्रिसमे गृहे नन्दायाः पश्चिमे तीरे किंचिद् वै दक्षिणाश्रिते

Transliteration

tatrāpi sagaṇaḥ sāmbaḥ krīḍate 'drisame gṛhe nandāyāḥ paścime tīre kiṃcid vai dakṣiṇāśrite

Translation

彼处亦然，萨姆巴（Sāmba）与其众伽那在如山之宫邸中嬉游；其所在为难达河西岸，稍偏于南。在这神圣近域，主之临在由其侍从而可感知，凭借圣地与神圣戏游（līlā），牵引有情（paśu）趋向主宰（Pati）之道。

Word by Word

• तत्रापि: there also

• सगणः: accompanied by (his) gaṇas/attendants

• साम्बः: Sāmba (name/title associated with the Lord’s presence, ‘with Ambā/Śakti’)

• क्रीडते: plays, sports

• अद्रिसमे: like a mountain, mountain-like

• गृहे: in a house/mansion

• नन्दायाः: of (the river) Nandā

• पश्चिमे: on the western

• तीरे: bank/shore

• किंचित्: somewhat, a little

• वै: indeed

• दक्षिणाश्रिते: located toward the south/southern side

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Sāmba
• Ganas
• Nandā

FAQs

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

By locating the divine retinue at a specific tirtha (the western bank of Nandā), the verse frames place as a support for devotion—where paśu approaches Pati through pilgrimage, remembrance, and worship that culminates in Linga-oriented bhakti.

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

Shiva-tattva is suggested indirectly: the Lord’s presence is experienced through his gaṇas and sacred abodes, indicating immanence—Pati pervades sanctified space and draws beings beyond pasha through divine līlā (kṛīḍā).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights tirtha-sevā (reverent approach to holy places). Practically, it supports pilgrimage-based puja—bathing, japa, and Linga-archana at riversides—rather than a specific Pāśupata yogic technique in this line.