Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

शरभप्रादुर्भावो नाम षण्णवतितमोऽध्यायः (जलन्धरविमर्दनम्)

Devanagari script

अवध्यत्वम् अपि श्रुत्वा तथान्यैर् भगनेत्रहा ब्रह्मणो वचनं रक्षन् रक्षको जगतां प्रभुः

Transliteration

avadhyatvam api śrutvā tathānyair bhaganetrahā brahmaṇo vacanaṃ rakṣan rakṣako jagatāṃ prabhuḥ

Translation

即便听闻他“不可被杀”，又听他人亦如此宣称，婆伽眼毁者（Bhaganetrahā，湿婆，毁坏婆伽之眼者）——诸世界之主——仍守护梵天之言，安住为一切众生的护持与守卫。

Word by Word

• अवध्यत्वम्: inviolability / being not to be slain

• अपि: even

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• तथा: likewise

• अन्यैः: by others

• भगनेत्रहा: ‘slayer of Bhaga’s eye’ (epithet of Śiva)

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā

• वचनम्: command, decree, word

• रक्षन्: protecting, upholding

• रक्षकः: protector, guardian

• जगताम्: of the worlds / of all beings

• प्रभुः: Lord, sovereign (Pati)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s account to the sages, with reference to Shiva’s act)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Bhaga

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as Jagat-rakṣaka (guardian of the worlds): Linga worship is not merely for boons, but to align the pashu (individual soul) with the Lord (Pati) who upholds cosmic order and dharma.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as sovereign yet dharma-protecting: even when ‘avadhyatva’ (inviolability) is heard, Śiva preserves Brahmā’s ordinance—revealing the Lord’s governance that transcends personal impulse and stabilizes the worlds.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is niyama and śaraṇāgati in Pāśupata discipline—submitting one’s will to the Lord’s dharmic command, cultivating restraint and protective intent (rakṣa-bhāva) rather than ego-driven action.