Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

ययातिना पूरौ राज्याभिषेकः, दिक्प्रदानं, तृष्णा-वैराग्योपदेशः, वनप्रवेशः च

Devanagari script

अत्र गाथा महाराज्ञा पुरा गीता ययातिना याभिः प्रत्याहरेत् कामान् सर्वतो ऽङ्गानि कूर्मवत्

Transliteration

atra gāthā mahārājñā purā gītā yayātinā yābhiḥ pratyāharet kāmān sarvato 'ṅgāni kūrmavat

Translation

此处有一首古老的伽陀，乃大王耶耶底昔日所歌；依此应收摄欲念之奔逸，如龟缩肢般从四方摄回诸根与身分，使“帕舒”（个体灵魂）安住而趋向“帕提”——湿婆。

Word by Word

• atra: here

• gāthā: verse/ancient stanza

• mahārājñā: by the great king

• purā: formerly/long ago

• gītā: sung/uttered

• yayātinā: by Yayāti

• yābhiḥ: by which (teachings/verses)

• pratyāharet: should withdraw/draw back

• kāmān: desires/sense-objects

• sarvataḥ: from all sides/everywhere

• aṅgāni: limbs/senses

• kūrmavat: like a tortoise

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating, citing King Yayati’s gatha)

Characters & Entities

• Yayati
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga worship as inner discipline: withdrawing the senses (pratyāhāra) so the mind becomes fit for Śiva-dhyāna and Liṅga-upāsanā, rather than being dragged outward by kāma.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the Pati—steady, inwardly realized, and approached through turning the pashu away from pasha (sense-bondage) toward contemplative stillness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pratyāhāra (sense-withdrawal), a core limb of yogic practice aligned with Pāśupata orientation—restraining kāma and gathering the senses inward like a tortoise.