Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1

सूर्यरथनिर्णयः (चन्द्रस्य पक्षवृद्धिक्षयविधानम्)

Devanagari script

इति श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे पूर्वभागे सूर्यरथनिर्णयो नाम पञ्चपञ्चाशत्तमो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच वीथ्याश्रयाणि चरति नक्षत्राणि निशाकरः त्रिचक्रोभयतो ऽश्वश् च विज्ञेयस्तस्य वै रथः

Transliteration

iti śrīliṅgamahāpurāṇe pūrvabhāge sūryarathanirṇayo nāma pañcapañcāśattamo 'dhyāyaḥ sūta uvāca vīthyāśrayāṇi carati nakṣatrāṇi niśākaraḥ tricakrobhayato 'śvaś ca vijñeyastasya vai rathaḥ

Translation

如是，在《圣林伽大往世书》前分、名为“太阳之车的判定”一章中，苏多说道：“月神（尼沙迦罗）循星辰之道而行，载持诸宿。应知其车为三轮，且两侧皆有骏马牵引。”

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• śrī-liṅga-mahāpurāṇe: in the auspicious Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa

• pūrva-bhāge: in the former section

• sūrya-ratha-nirṇayaḥ: determination/description of the Sun’s chariot

• nāma: named

• pañca-pañcāśattamaḥ: fifty-fifth

• adhyāyaḥ: chapter

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• vīthy-āśrayāṇi: dependent on/along the cosmic paths (vīthi)

• carati: moves, traverses

• nakṣatrāṇi: lunar mansions/constellations

• niśākaraḥ: the Moon (maker of night)

• tri-cakraḥ: three-wheeled

• ubhayataḥ: on both sides

• aśvaḥ: horses

• ca: and

• vijñeyaḥ: should be known/understood

• tasya: of him

• vai: indeed

• rathaḥ: chariot.

Speaker

Sūta (Sūta Gosvāmin)

Characters & Entities

• Sūta
• Niśākara (Moon)
• Nakṣatras

FAQs

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

By describing the ordered movement of the Moon and the nakṣatras, the verse frames the cosmos as a regulated manifestation—an effect (kārya) upheld by the Supreme Pati (Śiva). In Liṅga worship, this supports the contemplative insight that all time-cycles and ritual timings ultimately rest in Śiva’s governance.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the transcendent regulator (niyantṛ) behind cosmic rhythm: the Moon’s course and the star-paths are not random but structured. In Śaiva Siddhānta terms, this reflects Pati’s śakti ordering the worlds, while the pashus (souls) experience time through these celestial measures.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific pūjā-vidhi or Pāśupata-yoga limb is directly stated; however, the verse supports nakṣatra-based observances (vrata, dīkṣā timings) and yogic contemplation on kāla (time) as a manifestation within Śiva’s cosmic administration.