Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 134

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

त्रिलोकात्मा त्रिलोकेशः शुद्धः शुद्धी रथाक्षजः अव्यक्तलक्षणो व्यक्तो व्यक्ताव्यक्तो विशांपतिः

Transliteration

trilokātmā trilokeśaḥ śuddhaḥ śuddhī rathākṣajaḥ avyaktalakṣaṇo vyakto vyaktāvyakto viśāṃpatiḥ

Translation

祂是三界之自性，亦是三界之主。祂至净无垢，亦能净化一切。祂名为rathākṣaja——如车轴般不动不摇。以未显（avyakta）为其标识，祂亦为显现（vyakta）；祂兼具显与未显，并为万民之主宰。

Word by Word

• त्रिलोकात्मा: the Self/inner essence of the three worlds

• त्रिलोकेशः: Lord of the three worlds

• शुद्धः: the perfectly pure one (nirdoṣa)

• शुद्धी: purifier, the one who makes (others) pure

• रथाक्षजः: firm as the chariot-axle / unshakable pivot

• अव्यक्तलक्षणः: whose characteristic is the Unmanifest (avyakta)

• व्यक्तः: the Manifest (vyakta), perceptible as form and grace

• व्यक्ताव्यक्तः: both manifest and unmanifest, transcendent yet immanent

• विशांपतिः: lord of the subjects/peoples, ruler and protector

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Sahasranama to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as Shiva’s paradoxical presence—both unmanifest (avyakta) and manifest (vyakta)—guiding the devotee to worship the visible symbol while contemplating the formless Pati beyond all worlds.

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

Shiva is declared the trilokātmā (immanent Self within all realms) and trilokeśa (transcendent Lord), simultaneously pure and purifying, and both manifest and unmanifest—indicating Pati who pervades yet exceeds prakṛti and its bonds.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Pāśupata-style contemplation is implied: meditate on Shiva as the inner Self and sovereign Lord, using the Linga as the manifest support (ālambana) while realizing the unmanifest reality that purifies the pashu from pāśa.