Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

रूपं त्वाष्ट्री स्वदेहात्तु छायाख्यां सा त्वकल्पयत् वडवारूपमास्थाय तपस्तेपे तु सुव्रता

Transliteration

rūpaṃ tvāṣṭrī svadehāttu chāyākhyāṃ sā tvakalpayat vaḍavārūpamāsthāya tapastepe tu suvratā

Translation

从她自身之躯，Tvāṣṭrī化出一形，名为“Chāyā（影）”。那位持善誓的贞德女子取母马之相，坚守誓愿而修行苦行（tapas），求得天命法则：能松解pāśa（系缚），并使pāśu（被缚之灵）转向Pati——主宰Śiva。

Word by Word

• रूपम् (rūpam): a form

• त्वाष्ट्री (tvāṣṭrī): the daughter of Tvaṣṭṛ / Tvashtri’s daughter

• स्वदेहात् (svadehāt): from her own body

• तु (tu): indeed

• छायाख्याम् (chāyākhyām): named ‘Chāyā’ (Shadow)

• सा (sā): she

• त्वकल्पयत् (tvakalpayat): fashioned/created/produced

• वडवारूपम् (vaḍavā-rūpam): the form of a mare

• आस्थाय (āsthāya): having assumed/taken refuge in

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity, spiritual heat

• तेपे (tepe): performed/practised

• तु (tu): indeed

• सुव्रता (suvratā): one of noble vows, virtuous woman

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Tvashtri (Tvaṣṭṛ)
• Chāyā

FAQs

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

It presents tapas (austerity) and vrata (vowed discipline) as the inner foundation of worship—purifying the pashu so it can approach Pati (Śiva) with steadiness, which is essential before external rites like linga-pratiṣṭhā or pūjā bear fruit.

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

By implying that true transformation comes through tapas that loosens pasha (bondage), it aligns with Śiva-tattva as Pati—the liberating Lord—toward whom disciplined consciousness naturally turns when impurities are burned away.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas grounded in suvrata (firm vow)—a hallmark of Shaiva sādhanā and compatible with Pāśupata-oriented discipline, where sustained austerity is used to weaken bonds and stabilize devotion and insight.