Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 141

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

Devanagari script

दधाति भूमिराकाशम् अवकाशं ददाति च तदाज्ञया ततं सर्वं तस्माद्वै चिन्तयेद्द्विजाः

Transliteration

dadhāti bhūmirākāśam avakāśaṃ dadāti ca tadājñayā tataṃ sarvaṃ tasmādvai cintayeddvijāḥ

Translation

大地承载虚空，亦赐众生安住之处；然这一切的铺陈与秩序，唯由祂的圣命而成。是故，诸二生者，当思惟至上之主——遍一切处的湿婆、众生之主(Pati)。

Word by Word

• dadhāti: upholds/sustains

• bhūmiḥ: the earth

• ākāśam: the sky/space

• avakāśam: room/space/interval

• dadāti: gives

• ca: and

• tat-ājñayā: by His command (Shiva’s ordinance)

• tatam: pervaded/spread out

• sarvam: all (the universe)

• tasmāt: therefore

• vai: indeed

• cintayet: one should contemplate/meditate upon

• dvijāḥ: O twice-born (brahmins/initiates)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as Shiva’s all-pervading reality: even elemental supports like earth and space function under His ājñā, so Linga-puja becomes contemplation of the cosmic Pati who sustains all.

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

Shiva is presented as the sovereign principle whose command orders and pervades the universe—transcending the elements while also being their inner regulator (antaryāmin), the Pati over all.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dhyāna (contemplative meditation) is emphasized—cintayet—pointing to a Pashupata-oriented discipline where the pashu focuses on Pati to loosen pasha (bondage).