Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 161

Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच ततः प्रीतो गणाध्यक्षः प्राह देवांश्छिवात्मजः रथं च सारथिं शंभोः कार्मुकं शरमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

sūta uvāca tataḥ prīto gaṇādhyakṣaḥ prāha devāṃśchivātmajaḥ rathaṃ ca sārathiṃ śaṃbhoḥ kārmukaṃ śaramuttamam

Translation

苏多说道：随后，欢喜的湿婆众（gaṇa）之统领——湿婆之子——对诸天宣言，并（赐与他们）商婆之战车与御者、其弓以及最上之箭。

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• prītaḥ: pleased, delighted

• gaṇa-adhyakṣaḥ: the chief/overseer of the gaṇas

• prāha: spoke, said

• devān: to the devas/gods

• śiva-ātmajaḥ: Śiva’s son (born of Śiva’s power)

• ratham: chariot

• ca: and

• sārathim: charioteer

• śambhoḥ: of Śambhu (Śiva)

• kārmukam: bow

• śaram: arrow

• uttamam: supreme, most excellent

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Devas
• Shiva (Shambhu)
• Ganas
• Shiva’s son (Shivatmaja)

FAQs

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

It portrays Śiva as Pati (the Lord) who empowers the devas through his gaṇa-leader; in Linga worship this translates into seeking Śiva’s anugraha (grace) as the real source of protection and victory over pasha (bondage).

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as the supreme agency behind all power: even when not speaking directly, Śambhu’s śakti operates through his attendants and lineage, granting the means (ratha, sārathi, bow, arrow) by which dharma is restored.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pāśupata orientation: reliance on Śiva’s śakti and disciplined surrender (śaraṇāgati) rather than egoic effort—ritually expressed by offering and invoking Śiva’s protection through Linga-pūjā and mantra.