Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

भुवनकोशविन्यासनिर्णयः (ज्योतिर्गति-वृष्टिचक्र-वर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

हिताय सर्वजन्तूनां गतिः शर्वेण निर्मिता भूर्भुवः स्वस् तथा ह्यापो ह्य् अन्नं चामृतमेव च

Transliteration

hitāya sarvajantūnāṃ gatiḥ śarveṇa nirmitā bhūrbhuvaḥ svas tathā hyāpo hy annaṃ cāmṛtameva ca

Translation

为利益一切有情众生（paśu），舍尔瓦（湿婆）这位主宰（Pati）安立了他们应行之道——确然包括 Bhūḥ、Bhuvaḥ、Svaḥ 三界，以及水、食物，乃至不死甘露 amṛta 本身。

Word by Word

• हिताय: for welfare/benefit

• सर्वजन्तूनाम्: of all beings/creatures

• गतिः: course, path, destiny, means of attainment

• शर्वेण: by Śarva (Śiva)

• निर्मिता: created/ordained/established

• भूः: earth realm

• भुवः: mid-region/atmospheric realm

• स्वः: heaven realm

• तथा: and also/likewise

• हि: indeed

• आपः: waters

• अन्नम्: food/sustenance

• च: and

• अमृतम्: nectar/immortality-giving essence

• एव: verily/alone

• च: also

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Śarva)

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva (Śarva) as the cosmic Pati who ordains the worlds and sustenance; Linga worship honors that same Lord as the source of all gati (right course) and welfare for every paśu (individual soul).

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as the sovereign ordainer who establishes the three realms and the life-supporting principles (water, food, amṛta), indicating His governance over both worldly order (pravṛtti) and the highest good (nivṛtti).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

While not prescribing a specific rite, it supports Shaiva puja logic: offering āpaḥ (water) and anna (naivedya) in Linga-puja acknowledges Shiva as their ultimate source, aligning the practitioner’s gati toward Pashupata-oriented liberation.