Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9

सूर्यरश्मिस्वरूपकथनम्

Surya-Rashmi Svarupa Kathana

Devanagari script

भावाभावौ हि लोकानाम् आदित्यान्निःसृतौ पुरा अविज्ञेयो ग्रहो विप्रा दीप्तिमान्सुप्रभो रविः

Transliteration

bhāvābhāvau hi lokānām ādityānniḥsṛtau purā avijñeyo graho viprā dīptimānsuprabho raviḥ

Translation

婆罗门啊，远古之时，诸世界之有与无，皆由阿底提耶（Āditya）流出。彼光耀之日（Ravi）——难以测知的天界威力——以超胜之辉煌照耀。

Word by Word

• भावाभावौ: becoming and non-becoming

• हि: indeed

• लोकानाम्: of the worlds

• आदित्यात्: from Āditya (the Sun principle)

• निःसृतौ: issued forth/emanated

• पुरा: formerly, in ancient times

• अविज्ञेयः: not easily knowable/incomprehensible

• ग्रहः: luminary, seizer (planetary power)

• विप्राः: O Brahmins

• दीप्तिमान्: radiant, possessing splendor

• सुप्रभः: of excellent brilliance

• रविः: the Sun

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Surya (Aditya)
• Ravi

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic manifestation (bhāva) and withdrawal (abhāva) as arising from a supreme radiance; in Linga worship, this supports the Linga as the emblem of Shiva-tejas—light that generates and reabsorbs the worlds.

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

By highlighting an incomprehensible, all-illuminating principle behind becoming and non-becoming, the verse points to Shiva as Pati—the transcendent ground of creation and dissolution—while the Sun functions as a visible expression of that tejas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pashupata discipline of turning the mind toward inner light: contemplate the source of radiance beyond the grahas, and perform Shiva-puja with the understanding that all cosmic powers are subordinate to Pati (Shiva).