Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 139

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

Devanagari script

व्योमादीनि च भूतानि नैवेह परमार्थतः व्याप्य तिष्ठद्यतो विश्वं स्थाणुरित्यभिधीयते

Transliteration

vyomādīni ca bhūtāni naiveha paramārthataḥ vyāpya tiṣṭhadyato viśvaṃ sthāṇurityabhidhīyate

Translation

虚空及诸元素，在此并非究竟真实。以其遍满整个宇宙而仍安住不变，故称为“斯陀奴”(Sthāṇu)——不动之主湿婆，众生之主(Pati)，扶持万有而超越万有。

Word by Word

• vyoma-ādīni: space and the rest (of the elements)

• ca: and

• bhūtāni: beings/elements

• na eva: not indeed

• iha: here (in this world/teaching)

• paramārthataḥ: in the highest truth/ultimately

• vyāpya: having pervaded

• tiṣṭhat: remaining/abiding

• yataḥ: because/since

• viśvam: the universe

• sthāṇuḥ: the immovable, steadfast Lord (Śiva)

• iti: thus

• abhidhīyate: is called/denoted

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the doctrine as received in the Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Liṅga as the sign of the Supreme Pati: not merely an elemental object, but the all-pervading support in whom the elements appear, while He remains unmoved—guiding worship from outer form to inner realization.

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

Śiva is presented as transcendent to vyoma and the bhūtas in paramārtha, yet immanent as the one who pervades and upholds the cosmos—hence ‘Sthāṇu,’ the changeless ground of changing phenomena.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A meditative Pāśupata orientation is implied: during pūjā or japa, contemplate the Lord as the inner pervader of the tattvas while remaining steady (sthira), loosening pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (soul) through knowledge and devotion.