Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91

Adhyaya 70: आदिसर्गः—महत्-अहङ्कार-तन्मात्रा-भूतसृष्टिः, ब्रह्माण्डावरणम्, प्रजासर्गः, त्रिमूर्ति-शैवाधिष्ठानम्

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मत्वे सृजते लोकान् कालत्वे संक्षिपत्यपि पुरुषत्वे ह्युदासीनस् तिस्रो ऽवस्थाः प्रजापतेः

Transliteration

brahmatve sṛjate lokān kālatve saṃkṣipatyapi puruṣatve hyudāsīnas tisro 'vasthāḥ prajāpateḥ

Translation

以梵性（Brahmatva）时，祂生起诸世界；以时性（Kālatva）时，祂又摄收归一；以超越的普鲁沙（Puruṣa）时，祂安住无著。此即生主（Prajāpati）的三种状态——究竟皆在主宰帕提（Pati，Śiva）之权下，超越缚索（pāśa）与有情（paśu）的流转成就。

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मत्वे: in the state/role of Brahmā (creative function)

• सृजते: he creates

• लोकान्: the worlds

• कालत्वे: in the state/role of Time

• संक्षिपति: he withdraws, contracts (into dissolution)

• अपि: also/indeed

• पुरुषत्वे: in the state/role of Puruṣa (transcendent witness)

• हि: indeed

• उदासीनः: detached, indifferent (as witness)

• तिस्रः: three

• अवस्थाः: states/conditions

• प्रजापतेः: of Prajāpati (Lord of creatures)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Prajapati
• Brahma
• Kala
• Purusha

FAQs

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

It frames creation, dissolution, and transcendence as divine functions—guiding the worshipper to honor the Linga not merely as a creator-form, but as the timeless Pati beyond all cycles.

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

By implying a reality that can project as creator (brahmatva), withdraw as time (kālatva), and yet remain the unattached witness (puruṣatva)—a Shaiva Siddhanta pointer to Pati’s supremacy over pasha (bondage) and the pashu’s changing states.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It supports Pāśupata-style inner practice of udāsīnatā (witness-detachment): during pūjā and japa, one contemplates the Linga as the silent Puruṣa while recognizing creation and time as His regulated powers.