Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

ग्रहाद्यधिपत्याभिषेकः

Cosmic Consecrations of Lords of Planets and Domains

Devanagari script

गन्धर्वविद्याधरकिन्नराणाम् ईशं पुनश् चित्ररथं चकार नागाधिपं वासुकिमुग्रवीर्यं सर्पाधिपं तक्षकमुग्रवीर्यम्

Transliteration

gandharvavidyādharakinnarāṇām īśaṃ punaś citrarathaṃ cakāra nāgādhipaṃ vāsukimugravīryaṃ sarpādhipaṃ takṣakamugravīryam

Translation

祂又任命奇多罗他（Citraratha）为乾闼婆、持明者（Vidyādhara）与紧那罗之主；又立勇力凶猛的婆苏吉（Vāsuki）为那伽之王；并立勇力凶猛的多叉迦（Takṣaka）为诸蛇之王。

Word by Word

• गन्धर्व-विद्याधर-किन्नराणाम्: of the Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, and Kinnaras

• ईशम्: as lord, ruler

• पुनः: again, further

• चित्ररथम्: Citraratha (a Gandharva king)

• चकार: made, appointed

• नाग-अधिपम्: lord of the Nāgas

• वासुकिम्: Vāsuki

• उग्र-वीर्यम्: of terrible/fierce valor

• सर्प-अधिपम्: lord of serpents

• तक्षकम्: Takṣaka

• उग्र-वीर्यम्: of terrible/fierce valor

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the cosmic order as established under the Supreme Lord’s ordinance)

Characters & Entities

• Citraratha
• Vasuki
• Takshaka
• Gandharvas
• Vidyadharas
• Kinnaras
• Nagas
• Serpents (Sarpas)

FAQs

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

It shows Shiva as Pati—the supreme regulator—establishing rightful governance (adhipatya) among beings; Linga worship aligns the pashu (individual soul) with this divine order, loosening pasha (bondage) born of disorder and ego.

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

Shiva-tattva is revealed as sovereign ordinance (īśitva): by mere will he assigns powers and jurisdictions, demonstrating lordship over all classes of beings without personal limitation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this line; the takeaway for Pāśupata practice is niyama—living in harmony with Shiva’s cosmic law, cultivating discipline and surrender to the Lord’s governance.