Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

इति श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे पूर्वभागे ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिर् नाम त्रिसप्ततितमो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच देइत्य् => लिङ्ग लिङ्गानि कल्पयित्वैवं स्वाधिकारानुरूपतः विश्वकर्मा ददौ तेषां नियोगाद्ब्रह्मणः प्रभोः

Transliteration

iti śrīliṅgamahāpurāṇe pūrvabhāge brahmaproktaliṅgārcanavidhir nāma trisaptatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ sūta uvāca deity => liṅga liṅgāni kalpayitvaivaṃ svādhikārānurūpataḥ viśvakarmā dadau teṣāṃ niyogādbrahmaṇaḥ prabhoḥ

Translation

如是，在《圣林伽大往世书》前分中，第七十四章名为“梵天所说林伽礼拜仪轨”。苏多（Sūta）说道：“毗湿瓦羯磨（Viśvakarmā）依此方式造作种种林伽（Liṅga），各各随顺礼拜者之资格与职分；并奉主梵天之命，将其赐与诸众生。”

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• śrī-liṅga-mahāpurāṇe: in the venerable Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa

• pūrva-bhāge: in the first section (Pūrvabhāga)

• brahmaprokta: taught by Brahmā

• liṅga-arcana-vidhiḥ: the method/procedure of worshipping the Liṅga

• nāma: named

• trisaptatitamaḥ adhyāyaḥ: the seventy-fourth chapter

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• liṅga-liṅgāni: (many) Liṅgas / varieties of Liṅgas

• kalpayitvā: having fashioned/constructed

• evaṃ: thus

• svādhikāra-anurūpataḥ: in accordance with one’s own adhikāra (eligibility, authority, ritual competence)

• viśvakarmā: Viśvakarmā (divine architect)

• dadau: gave/bestowed

• teṣām: to them/for them

• niyogāt: by the injunction/command

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahmā

• prabhoḥ: the lord/master

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Vishvakarma
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It establishes that Liṅga-forms and their installation are not arbitrary: they are divinely authorized (Brahmā’s command) and tailored to the worshipper’s adhikāra, ensuring the rite aligns with dharma and proper competence.

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

Shiva-tattva is approached through the Liṅga as an adaptable sacred support (ālambana) for devotion—one Reality expressed through appropriate forms for different devotees, enabling the pashu (soul) to move toward Pati (Lord) through regulated worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice is adhikāra-based Liṅga-arcana (regulated worship according to eligibility), implying disciplined observance—an outer framework that supports inner purification consistent with Pāśupata-oriented progression from bondage (pāśa) toward liberation.