Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 157

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

Devanagari script

कोटीश्वरं महातीर्थं रुद्रकोटिगणैः पुरा सेवितं देवि पश्याद्य सर्वस्मादधिकं शुभम्

Transliteration

koṭīśvaraṃ mahātīrthaṃ rudrakoṭigaṇaiḥ purā sevitaṃ devi paśyādya sarvasmādadhikaṃ śubham

Translation

噢，女神啊，今日请观此科蒂伊湿伐罗（Koṭīśvara）——伟大的圣渡处（mahā-tīrtha）；往昔曾为亿万鲁陀罗及其众伽那所礼敬。此地至为吉祥，胜过一切圣地。

Word by Word

• कोटीश्वरम् (koṭīśvaram): Koṭīśvara, ‘Lord of crores’ (a form/linga of Śiva)

• महातीर्थम् (mahātīrtham): great tīrtha, supreme pilgrimage-place

• रुद्र-कोटि-गणैः (rudra-koṭi-gaṇaiḥ): by crores of Rudras/Śiva’s hosts

• पुरा (purā): formerly, in ancient times

• सेवितम् (sevitam): revered, worshipped, frequented

• देवि (devi): O Goddess (Pārvatī/Umā)

• पश्य (paśya): behold, see

• अद्य (adya): today, now

• सर्वस्मात् (sarvasmāt): than all (others)

• अधिकम् (adhikam): greater, superior

• शुभम् (śubham): auspicious, beneficent.

Speaker

Shiva (addressing Devi/Parvati within the embedded narrative; framed by Suta’s narration to the sages)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devi (Parvati/Uma)
• Rudras
• Ganas
• Kotishvara

FAQs

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

It proclaims Koṭīśvara as a supremely auspicious Mahātīrtha sanctified by the worship of innumerable Rudras and gaṇas, establishing the site/linga as exceptionally potent for Śiva-linga sevā and merit (puṇya).

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the Lord revered even by countless Rudra-manifestations and gaṇas—showing His transcendence and the overflowing auspicious power (śubhatva) that radiates through His linga and tīrtha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tīrtha-sevā (pilgrimage and reverential worship) is emphasized—approaching a Śiva-tīrtha for purification, loosening pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (individual soul) through devotion and sacred contact.