Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

पुराणन्यायमीमांसाधर्मशास्त्राणि सुव्रताः वालाश्रयाः पटाश्चैव सर्वलक्षणसंयुताः

Transliteration

purāṇanyāyamīmāṃsādharmaśāstrāṇi suvratāḥ vālāśrayāḥ paṭāścaiva sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutāḥ

Translation

具善誓者（suvrata），以《往世书》（Purāṇa）、因明（Nyāya）、弥曼萨（Mīmāṃsā）与《法论》（Dharmaśāstra）为根基，依止戒行与恒常修持，并具足一切吉祥相——如是之人，方为堪任此教与其诵持者。

Word by Word

• पुराण (purāṇa): Purāṇic lore/scripture

• न्याय (nyāya): logic and right reasoning

• मीमांसा (mīmāṃsā): Vedic exegesis/ritual hermeneutics

• धर्मशास्त्राणि (dharmaśāstrāṇi): treatises on dharma and conduct

• सुव्रताः (suvratāḥ): those with good vows/observances

• वालाश्रयाः (vālāśrayāḥ): those who take refuge in disciplined restraint/regulated practice (contextual sense)

• पटाः (paṭāḥ): skilled/adept/learned persons

• चैव (caiva): and indeed

• सर्वलक्षणसंयुताः (sarva-lakṣaṇa-saṃyutāḥ): endowed with all (good) characteristics/marks

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; contextual)

FAQs

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

It defines adhikāra (fitness): Linga-worship and Shaiva teaching are to be approached by disciplined, learned practitioners grounded in dharma and right interpretation, so that worship leads the paśu (soul) toward Pati (Shiva) rather than mere ritualism.

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

Indirectly: Shiva-tattva is subtle and best approached through shastra-supported understanding (Purāṇa, Nyāya, Mīmāṃsā, Dharmaśāstra) combined with vrata and inner restraint—preparing the bound paśu to loosen pāśa (bondage) through correct knowledge and conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vrata (sacred observance) and disciplined conduct are emphasized as the practical foundation that makes Shaiva sādhanā—including Pāśupata-oriented worship and study—effective and spiritually transformative.