Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 1

शरभप्रादुर्भावो नाम षण्णवतितमोऽध्यायः (जलन्धरविमर्दनम्)

Devanagari script

इति श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे पूर्वभागे शरभप्रादुर्भावो नाम षण्णवतितमो ऽध्यायः ऋषय ऊचुः जलन्धरं जटामौलिः पुरा जम्भारिविक्रमम् कथं जघान भगवान् भगनेत्रहरो हरः

Transliteration

iti śrīliṅgamahāpurāṇe pūrvabhāge śarabhaprādurbhāvo nāma ṣaṇṇavatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ ṛṣaya ūcuḥ jalandharaṃ jaṭāmauliḥ purā jambhārivikramam kathaṃ jaghāna bhagavān bhaganetraharo haraḥ

Translation

如是，在《圣林伽大往世书》前分（Pūrva-bhāga）中，开启第九十七章，名为“舍罗婆（Śarabha）显现”。诸仙人说道：“那位具结发顶髻者、夺去婆伽（Bhaga）之眼者、其威勇昔日甚至胜过因陀罗——詹婆（Jambha）之敌——的世尊诃罗（Hara），是如何诛灭阇兰陀罗（Jalandhara）的？”

Word by Word

• इति: thus

• श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे: in the auspicious Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa

• पूर्वभागे: in the first section (Pūrva-bhāga)

• शरभप्रादुर्भावः: manifestation/appearance of Śarabha

• नाम: named

• षण्णवतितमः: ninety-seventh

• अध्यायः: chapter

• ऋषयः ऊचुः: the sages said

• जलन्धरम्: Jalandhara

• जटामौलिः: the One with matted hair (Śiva)

• पुरा: formerly/once

• जम्भारिविक्रमम्: the valor of Jambhāri (Indra, slayer of Jambha)

• कथम्: how

• जघान: slew/struck down

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord

• भगनेत्रहरः: remover of Bhaga’s eye

• हरः: Hara (Śiva)

Speaker

Sages (Ṛṣis) at Naimiṣāraṇya (addressing Sūta’s narration framework)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Hara)
• Jalandhara
• Indra (Jambhāri)
• Bhaga

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as the supreme Pati whose power subdues even cosmic rulers; such epithets support Liṅga-upāsanā by directing devotion to the Lord beyond all rival claims and egoic “pāśa” (bondage).

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

Śiva is presented through defining marks—jaṭā (ascetic transcendence) and Bhaganetrahara (lordly sovereignty over devas)—indicating the Siddhānta view of Śiva as independent, all-capable Pati who governs creation and dissolution for dharma and grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this opening question; the implied takeaway is śravaṇa (sacred listening) and smaraṇa of Śiva’s names and deeds, foundational to bhakti and to the inner orientation of Pāśupata discipline.