Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Adhyaya 87 — Saṃsāra-viṣa-kathana: Ājñā-śakti, Māyā-bandha, and Mokṣa by Prasāda

Devanagari script

तदा मुक्तिः क्षणादेव नान्यथा कर्मकोटिभिः क्रमो ऽविवक्षितो भूतविवृद्धः परमेष्ठिनः

Transliteration

tadā muktiḥ kṣaṇādeva nānyathā karmakoṭibhiḥ kramo 'vivakṣito bhūtavivṛddhaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

Translation

尔时解脱于刹那即生——绝非他途，纵历亿万业行亦然。对帕拉梅什提因——增益并护持众生的至上主——本无所谓循序渐进之次第。

Word by Word

• tadā: then

• muktiḥ: liberation (release of the paśu from pāśa)

• kṣaṇāt eva: in a single moment indeed

• na anyathā: not otherwise

• karma-koṭibhiḥ: even by tens of millions of ritual/meritorious actions

• kramaḥ: gradual order, staged progression

• avivakṣitaḥ: not intended / not required

• bhūta-vivṛddhaḥ: the one who increases, nourishes, and expands beings

• parameṣṭhinaḥ: of the Supreme Lord (Pati), the highest ruler.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya; doctrinal statement reflecting Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on Pati’s grace)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that the fruit of Linga-centered devotion is not merely accumulated merit; final release comes by Shiva (Pati)’s anugraha (grace), which can dawn instantly when bondage (pāśa) is cut.

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

Shiva is Parameṣṭhin—the supreme ruler and nourisher of beings—who is not bound by karmic calculus; liberation is under His sovereign bestowal rather than a compulsory karmic sequence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse downplays karma-accumulation as the direct cause of moksha and implicitly elevates Pashupata-oriented surrender, inner purification, and grace-centered Shiva-bhakti as the decisive means.