Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

दैत्याश् च वैष्णवैर्ब्राह्मै रौद्रैर्याम्यैः सुदारुणैः कौबेरैश्चैव सौम्यैश् च नैरृत्यैर्वारुणैर्दृढैः

Transliteration

daityāś ca vaiṣṇavairbrāhmai raudrairyāmyaiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ kauberaiścaiva saumyaiś ca nairṛtyairvāruṇairdṛḍhaiḥ

Translation

诸代底耶遂被迎击：由毗湿奴系的军势、由梵天所生的众军、由鲁陀罗之众、由阎摩那极其凶烈的兵力、由俱毗罗那温和而强大的部众，以及坚毅的奈利律多与伐楼那之军。

Word by Word

• दैत्याः: the Daityas (Titanic adversaries)

• च: and

• वैष्णवैः: by the Vaiṣṇava forces/hosts

• ब्राह्मैः: by the Brahmā-related (Brāhma) hosts

• रौद्रैः: by the Rudra-forces

• याम्यैः: by the Yama-forces

• सुदारुणैः: very dreadful/terrible

• कौबेरैः: by the Kubera-related hosts

• च एव: and indeed/also

• सौम्यैः: gentle, auspicious (yet powerful)

• च: and

• नैरृत्यैः: by the Nairṛta (Nirṛti/guardians of the southwest) forces

• वारुणैः: by the Varuṇa-forces

• दृढैः: firm, steadfast, unyielding

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana narrative to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Brahma
• Rudra (Shiva)
• Yama
• Kubera
• Nirṛti (Nairṛta)
• Varuṇa
• Daityas

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva (Rudra) as a decisive protector within the cosmic administration: Linga worship aligns the pashu (soul) with Pati’s order, by which adharmic forces (symbolized by Daityas) are restrained.

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

By naming the “Raudra” hosts alongside other divine powers, the verse implies Rudra’s sovereign capacity to regulate and dissolve disorder—Shiva-tattva as the stabilizing, corrective force that protects dharma and guides beings from pasha (bondage) toward right order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No single rite is directly prescribed, but the verse supports the Pāśupata view that spiritual discipline and worship are backed by cosmic guardianship—regular Shiva-puja and inner restraint (niyama) are the practical means to stand with dharma against tamasic impulses.