Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

अध्याय 91: अरिष्ट-लक्षण, मृत्यु-संस्कार, पाशुपत-धारणा तथा ओङ्कार-उपासना

Devanagari script

कृष्णांबरधरा श्यामा गायन्ती वाप्यथाङ्गना यं नयेद्दक्षिणामाशां स्वप्ने सो ऽपि न जीवति

Transliteration

kṛṣṇāṃbaradharā śyāmā gāyantī vāpyathāṅganā yaṃ nayeddakṣiṇāmāśāṃ svapne so 'pi na jīvati

Translation

若在梦中，有一黑肤着黑衣的女子一边歌唱一边引人向南而去，则此人亦难以存活。

Word by Word

• kṛṣṇa-ambara-dharā: wearing black garments

• śyāmā: dark-complexioned woman

• gāyantī: singing

• vā api: or even/also

• atha: then

• aṅganā: woman

• yam: whom

• nayet: may lead

• dakṣiṇām āśām: the southern quarter/direction

• svapne: in a dream

• saḥ api: he also

• na jīvati: does not live/survive

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating traditional dream-omens taught in the Purāṇic discourse)

FAQs

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

It functions as a warning-sign (nimitta) indicating imminent danger; such omens traditionally prompt the pashu (individual soul) to seek refuge in Pati (Śiva) through japa, śānti, and liṅga-upāsanā to loosen pāśa (bondage) and avert harm where karma allows.

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

Implicitly, it contrasts mortality and fear with the need for Pati—the liberating Lord—since the omen highlights the fragility of embodied life and the urgency of turning toward Śiva for protection and release from karmic limitation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Not a specific yoga technique is named; the practical takeaway is śānti-kriyā and Śiva-oriented remedial practice—liṅga-pūjā, mantra-japa (e.g., Oṁ Namaḥ Śivāya), and vrata/charity—as traditional responses to inauspicious svapna-nimittas.