Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

Adhyaya 59 — सूर्याद्यभिषेककथनम्

Surya and Related Abhisheka/ Cosmological Determinations

Devanagari script

भजनाश्चैव माल्याश् च केतनाः पतनास् तथा अमृता नामतः सर्वा रश्मयो वृष्टिसर्जनाः

Transliteration

bhajanāścaiva mālyāś ca ketanāḥ patanās tathā amṛtā nāmataḥ sarvā raśmayo vṛṣṭisarjanāḥ

Translation

日光诸线皆以 Bhajanā、Mālyā、Ketanā、Patanā 与 Amṛtā 之名而称；正是这些光线作为降雨生成之使者。由是，凭主宰（Pati）之有序威力，世界因滋养而下的水流得以维系；此水哺育受自然之缚（pāśa）所系的具身众生（paśu）。

Word by Word

• भजनाः: Bhajanā (a class/name of solar rays)

• च एव: and indeed

• माल्याः: Mālyā (a class/name of solar rays)

• च: and

• केतनाः: Ketanā (a class/name of solar rays)

• पतनाः: Patanā (a class/name of solar rays)

• तथा: likewise

• अमृताः: Amṛtā (a class/name of solar rays)

• नामतः: by name/known as

• सर्वाः: all

• रश्मयः: rays (of the sun)

• वृष्टि-सर्जनाः: producers/causes of rain (rain-creating).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links cosmic nourishment (rainfall) to divine governance, reminding the devotee that Shiva as Pati upholds the world’s order through natural powers—hence worship supports harmony, prosperity, and dharmic living.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the supreme regulator behind cosmic processes: even the sun’s rays function as ordered instruments, sustaining paśus within pāśa until they turn toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical takeaway is prosperity-oriented Shiva-puja (abhisheka and offerings seeking timely rains) while remembering the Pashupata view: nature’s forces are subordinate to Pati and should be contemplated as aids—not ultimate realities.