Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

कोणस् तथा ह्यहङ्कारो भूतानि च बलं स्मृतम् इन्द्रियाणि च तस्यैव भूषणानि समन्ततः

Transliteration

koṇas tathā hyahaṅkāro bhūtāni ca balaṃ smṛtam indriyāṇi ca tasyaiva bhūṣaṇāni samantataḥ

Translation

科那（Koṇa，宇宙之角与方位原理）与我执（ahaṅkāra），诸大（bhūta）被称为力，及诸根（indriya）——这一切在四方周遍，皆为主宰帕提（Pati）之庄严饰物；祂超越而又遍入万有。

Word by Word

• कोणः (koṇaḥ): cosmic angle/directional principle

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• हि (hi): indeed

• अहङ्कारः (ahaṅkāraḥ): ego-principle, individuation

• भूतानि (bhūtāni): elements, created beings

• च (ca): and

• बलम् (balam): strength, power

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): is said/remembered as

• इन्द्रियाणि (indriyāṇi): senses, faculties

• च (ca): and

• तस्य (tasya): of him/of that Lord

• एव (eva): indeed, verily

• भूषणानि (bhūṣaṇāni): ornaments, adornments

• समन्ततः (samantataḥ): on all sides, everywhere

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmos itself—ego, elements, and senses—as Shiva’s “ornaments,” guiding the devotee to see the Linga not as a mere object, but as the sign of Pati who pervades all tattvas.

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

Shiva is presented as the sovereign ground of manifestation: the very principles that bind the pashu (ego and senses) are also displayed as his adornments, implying his transcendence and immanence simultaneously.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā aligned with Pāśupata Yoga: recognize indriyas and ahaṅkāra as pasha (bondage) to be mastered, while meditating that all tattvas rest in and are pervaded by Shiva, the Pati.