Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22

शरभप्रादुर्भावो नाम षण्णवतितमोऽध्यायः (जलन्धरविमर्दनम्)

Devanagari script

बालभावे च भगवान् तपसैव विनिर्जितः ब्रह्मा बली यौवने वै मुनयः सुरपुङ्गवैः

Transliteration

bālabhāve ca bhagavān tapasaiva vinirjitaḥ brahmā balī yauvane vai munayaḥ surapuṅgavaiḥ

Translation

即使在孩提時代，世尊也是不可戰勝的——唯有通過苦行（Tapas）才能贏得他的青睞。在青年時期，強大的梵天（Brahma）也被折服；同樣，聖人們以及諸神中的佼佼者也被降伏。

Word by Word

• बालभावे: in childhood

• च: and

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord (Pati, Shiva)

• तपसा एव: by austerity alone

• विनिर्जितः: conquered/overcome

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā

• बली: the mighty one

• यौवने: in youth

• वै: indeed

• मुनयः: sages

• सुरपुङ्गवैः: by/with the foremost among the gods

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; contextual attribution)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Sages (Munis)
• Devas (Surapungavas)

FAQs

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

It establishes Shiva (Pati) as supreme over Brahmā, the devas, and sages—supporting Linga worship as devotion to the highest Lord whose presence is accessed through tapas and disciplined practice.

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

Shiva-tattva is portrayed as unconquerable and sovereign; even exalted cosmic authorities (Brahmā) and spiritual elites (munis) are ‘overcome’ by his ascetic potency, indicating transcendence beyond created hierarchy.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) is highlighted as the operative yogic force—aligned with Pāśupata discipline—by which pasha (bondage) is weakened and the pashu (soul) is oriented toward Pati (Shiva).