Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

ग्रहाद्यधिपत्याभिषेकः

Cosmic Consecrations of Lords of Planets and Domains

Devanagari script

दिग्वारणानामधिपं चकार गजेन्द्रम् ऐरावतम् उग्रवीर्यम् /* सुपर्णमीशं पततामथाश्वराजानमुच्चैःश्रवसं चकार

Transliteration

digvāraṇānāmadhipaṃ cakāra gajendram airāvatam ugravīryam /* suparṇamīśaṃ patatāmathāśvarājānamuccaiḥśravasaṃ cakāra

Translation

祂任命威猛的爱罗婆多（Airāvata）——象王——为四方护象之主；又立苏帕尔那（Suparṇa，即迦楼罗 Garuḍa）为群鸟之王；并立优钵迦伊施罗婆斯（Uccaiḥśravas）为群马之王。如此，主宰（Pati）以其圣命在造化中分配位阶与权能，并以业与宇宙法则之绳索（pāśa）使众生（paśu）系于其所当尽之职分。

Word by Word

• दिग्वारणानाम्: of the elephants of the directions

• अधिपम्: overlord, ruler

• चकार: he made, appointed

• गजेन्द्रम्: the lord of elephants

• ऐरावतम्: Airāvata

• उग्रवीर्यम्: of fierce/mighty valor

• सुपर्णम्: Suparṇa (Garuḍa)

• ईशम्: lord, ruler

• पतताम्: of the flying beings (birds)

• अथ: then, likewise

• अश्वराजानम्: king of horses

• उच्चैःश्रवसम्: Uccaiḥśravas

• चकार: he made, appointed

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Airavata
• Garuda (Suparna)
• Uccaihshravas

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmos as a regulated order established by the Supreme Lord (Pati). Linga worship aligns the devotee (paśu) with that divine governance, loosening bondage (pāśa) through devotion and right understanding.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the supreme appointing authority who distributes offices and powers in creation. As Pati, He is independent and sovereign, while all other beings function as dependent agents within His order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is named; the takeaway is contemplative Pāśupata orientation—seeing all hierarchies and powers as bestowed by Pati, cultivating detachment from status and surrender through Shiva-bhakti.