Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

वंशानुवर्णनम् — सात्वतवंशः, स्यमन्तक-प्रसङ्गः, कृष्णावतारः, शिवप्रसादः (पाशुपतयोगः)

Devanagari script

गिरिरक्षस्तथोपेक्षः शत्रुघ्नो यो ऽरिमर्दनः धर्मभृद् वृष्टधर्मा च गोधनो ऽथ वरस् तथा

Transliteration

girirakṣastathopekṣaḥ śatrughno yo 'rimardanaḥ dharmabhṛd vṛṣṭadharmā ca godhano 'tha varas tathā

Translation

他是群山的守护者，也是安住于舍、超然于对待之戏者；他是诛灭仇敌者、摧破强敌者；他是护持达摩者，亦以恩典如雨降下达摩者；他是赐牛与丰饶者，亦是至上之福本身。

Word by Word

• गिरिरक्षः: protector of mountains (and steadfast refuge)

• तथा: and

• उपेक्षः: the indifferent/equanimous one (udāsīna, beyond attachment-aversion)

• शत्रुघ्नः: slayer of enemies (inner and outer)

• यः: who

• अरिमर्दनः: crusher of foes

• धर्मभृत्: bearer/upholder of dharma

• वृष्टधर्मा: one who showers dharma (bestows righteous order and grace)

• च: and

• गोधनः: giver of cows/wealth (source of dharmic prosperity)

• अथ: then/also

• वरः: boon, the excellent one, best of all

• तथा: likewise/also

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s names to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as Pati (Shiva) who protects the devotee’s refuge, destroys obstacles, and grants dharma and prosperity—so worship is not merely for gains, but for alignment with dharma through Shiva’s anugraha (grace).

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

Shiva is shown as transcendent and steady (upekṣa—beyond raga-dvesha) while also immanent as the active regulator: he upholds dharma, subdues hostile forces (including inner pasha-like impurities), and bestows благessing as varah (the supreme boon).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pashupata-oriented sadhana emphasizes upekṣā (equanimity) and śatru-jaya (conquest of inner enemies like anger and delusion), supported by Linga-puja that seeks dharma-first blessings rather than desire-driven rewards.