Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

Adhyaya 75: Nishkala–Sakala Shiva, Twofold Linga, and the Supremacy of Dhyana-Yajna

Devanagari script

इन्द्रोपेन्द्रौ भुजाभ्यां तु क्षत्रियाश् च महात्मनः वैश्याश्चोरुप्रदेशात्तु शूद्राः पादात्पिनाकिनः

Transliteration

indropendrau bhujābhyāṃ tu kṣatriyāś ca mahātmanaḥ vaiśyāścorupradeśāttu śūdrāḥ pādātpinākinaḥ

Translation

由其双臂生出因陀罗与优波因陀罗，并且生出刹帝利，噫，大灵者！由其大腿之处生出吠舍；由其双足生出首陀罗——如是，一切皆从持弓者毗那迦因（Pinākin）之主而出。

Word by Word

• इन्द्रोपेन्द्रौ (indra-upendrau): Indra and Upendra (Vishnu as the younger/associate of Indra)

• भुजाभ्याम् (bhujābhyām): from the two arms

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• क्षत्रियाः (kṣatriyāḥ): the Kshatriya class

• च (ca): and

• महात्मनः (mahātmanaḥ): O great-souled one (vocative)

• वैश्याः (vaiśyāḥ): the Vaishya class

• च (ca): and

• ऊरु-प्रदेशात् (ūru-pradeśāt): from the thigh-region

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• शूद्राः (śūdrāḥ): the Shudra class

• पादात् (pādāt): from the feet

• पिनाकिनः (pinākinaḥ): from Pinākin (Shiva, bearer of the Pināka bow)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Indra
• Upendra (Vishnu)

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva (Pinākin) as the originating Pati of devas and human orders, supporting Linga worship as devotion to the supreme source from whom all functions of the cosmos proceed.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as the causal ground of manifestation: even the governing deities (Indra, Upendra) and societal functions arise from His cosmic form, indicating His sovereignty beyond all derived powers.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied Pāśupata insight is contemplative: meditate on all beings as emerging from Pati (Shiva), which reduces attachment and ego—key steps toward cutting pasha (bondage) for the pashu (soul).