Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 80

Adhyaya 63: Daksha’s Progeny, Kashyapa’s Offspring, and the Rishi-Vamshas that Sustain the Worlds

Devanagari script

ऊर्ध्वरेता महातेजा दक्षशापात्तु नारदः पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे घोरे वै तारकामये

Transliteration

ūrdhvaretā mahātejā dakṣaśāpāttu nāradaḥ purā devāsure yuddhe ghore vai tārakāmaye

Translation

那罗陀以梵行守持，将生命精力上摄，具大光辉之威德；昔日因达叉之诅咒，于名为“塔罗迦摩耶”的可怖天神与阿修罗之战时，遂成如此。

Word by Word

• ऊर्ध्वरेता: one whose semen/energy is sublimated upward (brahmacarya, yogic continence)

• महातेजा: of great radiance/power

• दक्षशापात्: because of Dakṣa’s curse

• तु: indeed/and

• नारदः: Nārada

• पुरा: formerly/once

• देवासुरे: between Devas and Asuras

• युद्धे: in the war

• घोरे: terrible/dreadful

• वै: truly/indeed

• तारकामये: in (the war/event) called Tārakāmaya

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Daksha
• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

By highlighting Nārada as ūrdhvareta (sublimated, disciplined energy), the verse points to the Shaiva principle that purity, restraint, and yogic tapas are supportive inner offerings for Linga-upāsanā—preparing the pashu (soul) to turn toward Pati (Śiva).

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

Though Śiva is not named, the verse evokes Shaiva Siddhānta themes: tejas born of tapas and inner restraint reflects alignment with Śiva-tattva—the transcendent Pati—by weakening pasha (bondage) through disciplined yogic conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ūrdhvareta indicates brahmacarya and the yogic sublimation of vital force (retas/ojas) upward—an inner limb consistent with Pāśupata-oriented discipline that strengthens tapas and steadies the mind for Śiva-bhakti and japa.