Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 130

ध्यानयज्ञः, संसार-विष-निरूपणम्, पाशुपतयोगः, परा-अपरा विद्या, चतुर्वस्था-विचारः (अध्यायः ८६)

Devanagari script

भीमः सुषिरनाके ऽसौ भास्करे मण्डले स्थितः ईशानः सोमबिम्बे च महादेव इति स्मृतः

Transliteration

bhīmaḥ suṣiranāke 'sau bhāskare maṇḍale sthitaḥ īśānaḥ somabimbe ca mahādeva iti smṛtaḥ

Translation

他被忆念为“毗摩”(Bhīma)，安住于“苏希罗-那迦”(Suṣira-nāka)之中、在太阳圆轮内；又在月轮中为“伊沙那”(Īśāna)。如是，他被称为“大天”(Mahādeva)。

Word by Word

• भीमः (bhīmaḥ): Bhīma, the Terrible/Awesome form of Śiva

• सुषिरनाके (suṣira-nāke): in/at Suṣira-nāka (a named cosmic region/seat)

• असौ (asau): that very One (Śiva)

• भास्करे (bhāskare): in the Sun

• मण्डले (maṇḍale): in the orb/disc/sphere

• स्थितः (sthitaḥ): abiding/established

• ईशानः (īśānaḥ): Īśāna (Śiva as the sovereign, northern/upward-facing aspect)

• सोमबिम्बे (somabimbe): in the lunar disc (Moon’s sphere)

• च (ca): and

• महादेव (mahādeva): Mahādeva, the Great God

• इति (iti): thus

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is remembered/declared in tradition.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Surya (Bhaskara)
• Chandra (Soma)

FAQs

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

It frames the Liṅga not only as an installed icon but as Śiva’s all-pervading presence (vyāpti) in the cosmic maṇḍalas of Sun and Moon, supporting a Shaiva mode of worship where the devotee recognizes the Pati in all luminous forms.

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

Śiva-tattva is presented as one Reality manifesting distinct names and aspects—Bhīma in the solar sphere and Īśāna in the lunar sphere—yet remembered as the single Mahādeva, indicating unity behind functional cosmic expressions.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā aligned with Pāśupata Yoga: dhyāna on Śiva as the inner ruler of Surya and Soma, using the luminaries as supports (ālambana) to loosen pasha (bondage) and orient the pashu (soul) toward Pati.