Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

दग्धुं तृणं वापि समक्षमस्य यक्षस्य वह्निर्न शशाक विप्राः वायुस्तृणं चालयितुं तथान्ये स्वान्स्वान्प्रभावान् सकलामरेन्द्राः

Transliteration

dagdhuṃ tṛṇaṃ vāpi samakṣamasya yakṣasya vahnirna śaśāka viprāḥ vāyustṛṇaṃ cālayituṃ tathānye svānsvānprabhāvān sakalāmarendrāḥ

Translation

婆罗门啊，在那夜叉面前，连火神阿耆尼（Agni）也不能焚烧一茎草；同样，风神伐由（Vāyu）亦不能使其摇动。于是诸天之主皆知自身威能尽成无效——显明若无主宰（Pati，湿婆Śiva），众生（paśu）所借之力终不能运作。

Word by Word

• दग्धुम्: to burn

• तृणम्: a blade of grass

• वा अपि: even

• समक्षम् अस्य: in the presence of him

• यक्षस्य: of the Yaksha

• वह्निः: Agni, the Fire-god

• न: not

• शशाक: was able

• विप्राः: O brahmins

• वायुः: Vayu, the Wind-god

• तृणम्: the blade of grass

• चालयितुम्: to move

• तथा: likewise

• अन्ये: others (devas)

• स्वान् स्वान्: their respective

• प्रभावान्: powers, capacities

• सकल-अमर-इन्द्राः: all the leaders among the immortals (devas).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (as Yaksha)
• Agni
• Vayu
• Devas

FAQs

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

It teaches that all ritual efficacy and divine power ultimately rest in Pati (Śiva). Linga worship centers on surrender to that supreme source, rather than pride in one’s own capacities.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as transcendent and independent: even cosmic forces like fire and wind fail before His veiled presence (Yakṣa), revealing that the devas’ powers are contingent upon Him.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline: abandon ahaṅkāra (ego) and recognize Pati as the sole empowerer; practice devotion and inner surrender so shakti becomes aligned with Śiva’s will.