Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

सोमवर्णनम्

Graha–Ratha–Aśva Varṇana, Dhruva-Nibaddha Gati, Maṇḍala-Pramāṇa, Graha-Arcana

Devanagari script

चन्द्रस्य षोडशो भागो भार्गवस्य विधीयते विष्कम्भान्मण्डलाच्चैव योजनाच्च प्रमाणतः

Transliteration

candrasya ṣoḍaśo bhāgo bhārgavasya vidhīyate viṣkambhānmaṇḍalāccaiva yojanācca pramāṇataḥ

Translation

依权威之量度（pramāṇa），所赋予婆尔伽瓦（Bhārgava，即舒克罗 Śukra、金星）之尺度，定为月轮的十六分之一；以由旬计，依据其直径与运行之周回而算。

Word by Word

• चन्द्रस्य: of the Moon

• षोडशः: sixteenth

• भागः: portion/part

• भार्गवस्य: of Bhārgava (Śukra/Venus)

• विधीयते: is prescribed/assigned

• विष्कम्भात्: from (its) diameter

• मण्डलात्: from the circular path/orbital circuit

• च: and

• एव: indeed

• योजनात्: in yojanas (unit of distance)

• च: and

• प्रमाणतः: according to valid measure/authority

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Chandra
• Shukra (Bhargava)

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmos through pramāṇa (authoritative measurement), supporting the Shaiva view that Shiva as Pati is the orderly ground of creation (sṛṣṭi), within which linga-pūjā aligns the pashu (soul) to cosmic law (ṛta/dharma).

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

Though Shiva is not named, the verse reflects Shiva-tattva indirectly: a governed, intelligible universe where proportion and measure prevail—an expression of Pati’s niyati (ordering power) over the manifested worlds.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No direct pūjā-vidhi is stated; the takeaway is pramāṇa-buddhi—disciplined, reality-based discernment used in Shaiva practice to move the pashu from भ्रम (confusion) toward clarity, aiding Pāśupata-style inner steadiness.