Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

भुवनकोशस्वभाववर्णनम् — सप्तद्वीप-पर्वत-लोकविन्यासः तथा यक्ष-उमा-प्रकाशः

Devanagari script

योजनानां सहस्राणि ऊर्ध्वं पञ्चाशदुच्छ्रितः तावदेव तु विस्तीर्णः पार्श्वतः परिमण्डलः

Transliteration

yojanānāṃ sahasrāṇi ūrdhvaṃ pañcāśaducchritaḥ tāvadeva tu vistīrṇaḥ pārśvataḥ parimaṇḍalaḥ

Translation

它向上高达五万由旬，宽度亦复如是；其侧面圆满成圆——这是主宰帕提（湿婆）不可量度的林伽之相，压倒被缚之绳（pāśa）所系的众生（paśu）有限的所及。

Word by Word

• yojanānām: of yojanas (units of distance)

• sahasrāṇi: thousands

• ūrdhvam: upward

• pañcāśat: fifty

• ucchritaḥ: risen, elevated

• tāvat eva: of the same extent

• tu: indeed

• vistīrṇaḥ: expanded, broad

• pārśvataḥ: on the sides, laterally

• parimaṇḍalaḥ: perfectly circular, round all around

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, recounting the cosmic Linga manifestation)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga (Jyotirliṅga-stambha)

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as a cosmic, infinite sign (liṅga) of Śiva—worship is directed not to a mere object but to Pati’s boundless presence that transcends measurable limits.

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

By depicting an immeasurably vast, perfectly formed pillar, it indicates Śiva as Pati—limitless, all-pervading, and beyond the finite grasp of the pashu constrained by pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā is implied: meditating on the Linga-stambha’s immeasurable height and perfect circularity to dissolve egoic limitation and orient the pashu toward Pati in Pāśupata-style devotion.