Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 97

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

Devanagari script

अज्ञान = सोउर्चे ओफ़् संसार नान्तःप्रज्ञो बहिःप्रज्ञो न चोभयगतस् तथा न प्रज्ञानघनस्त्वेवं न प्राज्ञो ज्ञानपूर्वकः

Transliteration

ajñāna = source of saṃsāra nāntaḥprajño bahiḥprajño na cobhayagatas tathā na prajñānaghanastvevaṃ na prājño jñānapūrvakaḥ

Translation

无明即是牵引众生流转于轮回（saṃsāra）之洪流。为其系缚之有情（pashu），内不觉、外不觉，亦不住于内外俱觉；其识亦不凝定坚实。是故未可称为真智者——唯有先起正知，方为解脱之因。

Word by Word

• ajñānam: ignorance (āṇava/pāśa-bondage)

• saṃsārasya: of transmigratory existence

• srotas: stream/current/cause that carries along

• na: not

• antaḥ-prajñaḥ: inwardly cognizant/awakened

• bahiḥ-prajñaḥ: outwardly cognizant/awakened

• ubhaya-gataḥ: established in both (inner and outer)

• tathā: likewise

• prajñāna-ghanaḥ: compact/steady mass of awareness (undistracted consciousness)

• evaṃ: thus

• prājñaḥ: the truly wise/knower

• jñāna-pūrvakaḥ: preceded by (right) knowledge / having knowledge as the prerequisite.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva teaching within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as a jñāna-oriented Shaiva sādhanā: devotion to the Linga is meant to destroy ajñāna (pāśa) so the pashu becomes fit for Shiva’s grace and liberation.

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

By implication, Shiva (Pati) is pure, steady awareness beyond the divided states described here; when His jñāna dawns, the soul moves from fragmented cognition to true wisdom and freedom from saṃsāra.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to jñāna-pūrvaka sādhanā—disciplined contemplation and Shaiva yoga (Pashupata orientation) supported by Linga-pūjā, so ignorance is cut at its root rather than merely managed.