Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 142

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

सर्वायतनमुख्यानि दिवि भूमौ गिरिष्व् अपि परात्परतरं देवी बुध्यस्वेति मयोदितम्

Transliteration

sarvāyatanamukhyāni divi bhūmau giriṣv api parātparataraṃ devī budhyasveti mayoditam

Translation

一切最殊胜的圣所——无论在天界、在人间，或在群山之上——皆为“超越于超越者”所超越。噢，女神德维，当如是了知；此乃我所宣说。

Word by Word

• सर्व-आयतन-मुख्यानि: all the chief abodes/sanctuaries

• दिवि: in heaven

• भूमौ: on earth

• गिरिषु अपि: even on mountains

• परात्-परतरम्: higher than the highest, beyond the beyond

• देवी: O Goddess

• बुध्यस्व: understand/realize

• इति: thus

• मया उदितम्: spoken/declared by me

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal teaching addressed to Devī within the chapter’s discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Devī
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that while many holy abodes (āyatanas/kshetras) are revered, the supreme focus of worship is the Parātparatara reality of Shiva (Pati), which the Linga signifies—transcending mere location-based merit.

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

Shiva-tattva is indicated as “beyond the beyond” (parātparatara)—a transcendent principle surpassing heavenly and earthly realms, the ultimate Pati who stands above all conditioned planes where the Pashu dwells under Pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pāśupata-oriented insight: pilgrimage and outer sanctuaries are secondary to buddhi/realization (budhyasva)—inner recognition of the Supreme signified by the Linga through worship, contemplation, and disciplined practice.