Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 57

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

अनन्तदृष्टिरानन्दो दण्डो दमयिता दमः अभिवाद्यो महाचार्यो विश्वकर्मा विशारदः

Transliteration

anantadṛṣṭirānando daṇḍo damayitā damaḥ abhivādyo mahācāryo viśvakarmā viśāradaḥ

Translation

其见无尽者，即是安乐（Ānanda）本身。祂是神圣的杖（daṇḍa）——戒律之权衡；祂是调伏者，也是自制（dama）。祂堪受恭敬礼拜，为大阿阇梨。祂是毗湿瓦羯摩（Viśvakarman），宇宙的造作主，至巧至能的大师。

Word by Word

• अनन्त-दृष्टिः: of infinite vision/omniscience

• आनन्दः: bliss, beatitude

• दण्डः: staff/rod, punishing discipline, righteous chastisement

• दमयिता: tamer, subduer (of passions and beings)

• दमः: self-control, restraint

• अभिवाद्यः: worthy of salutation and reverence

• महा-आचार्यः: great preceptor, supreme teacher

• विश्वकर्मा: maker of the universe, cosmic artisan

• विशारदः: highly skilled, adept, accomplished

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating 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’s Lord (Pati) as the inner governor of discipline (daṇḍa) and self-control (dama), teaching that worship is not only external offering but also inner restraint and surrender to Shiva as the supreme Mahācārya.

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

Shiva is presented as omniscient (ananta-dṛṣṭi) and pure bliss (ānanda), yet also the moral-spiritual regulator (daṇḍa) who subdues bondage-born impulses in the pashu, revealing Him as Pati who loosens pasha through grace and discipline.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dama (self-restraint) is highlighted as a core Pāśupata-Yogic discipline—purifying the senses and mind so that Linga-pūjā becomes a means for cutting pasha and stabilizing devotion to Pati.