Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7

अध्याय ८२ — व्यपोहनस्तवः (पापव्यपोहन-स्तोत्रम्)

Devanagari script

शिवध्यानैकसम्पन्नः स मे पापं व्यपोहतु सूक्ष्मः सुरासुरेशानो विश्वेशो गणपूजितः

Transliteration

śivadhyānaikasampannaḥ sa me pāpaṃ vyapohatu sūkṣmaḥ surāsureśāno viśveśo gaṇapūjitaḥ

Translation

愿那位主尊——唯以观修湿婆而圆满——为我除灭罪垢。祂微妙不可执取，为天神与阿修罗之主，为宇宙之主，受众伽那礼敬；祂即是断除系缚灵魂（paśu）之绳索 pāśa 的主宰（Pati）。

Word by Word

• śiva-dhyāna-eka-sampannaḥ: endowed exclusively with Śiva-meditation/wholly absorbed in Śiva-contemplation

• saḥ: He (that Lord)

• me: my

• pāpam: sin/impurity (pāpa)

• vyapohatu: may He remove/drive away

• sūkṣmaḥ: subtle, imperceptible (beyond the senses)

• sura-asura-īśānaḥ: the ruler/lord over gods and demons

• viśva-īśaḥ: Lord of the universe

• gaṇa-pūjitaḥ: worshipped by Śiva’s Gaṇas/attended and adored by the divine hosts

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a Shaiva prayer/meditative eulogy within the Linga Purana’s discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganas
• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as inner Śiva-dhyāna: by fixing awareness on the subtle Viśveśa (the Linga’s indwelling Pati), the devotee seeks pāpa-vyapohana—removal of impurity that obstructs worship and realization.

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

Śiva is presented as sūkṣma (transcendent and subtle), Viśveśa (cosmic Lord), and Surāsureśāna (sovereign over all opposites), indicating Shiva-tattva as the supreme Pati beyond limited categories, yet actively worshipped and present with His Gaṇas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śiva-dhyāna (one-pointed meditation) is emphasized—aligned with Pāśupata orientation—where concentrated contemplation of the Pati purifies the paśu and weakens pāśa (bondage) such as pāpa and its latent impressions.