Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

कल्याणप्रकृतिः कल्पः सर्वलोकप्रजापतिः तपस्वी तारको धीमान् प्रधानप्रभुर् अव्ययः

Transliteration

kalyāṇaprakṛtiḥ kalpaḥ sarvalokaprajāpatiḥ tapasvī tārako dhīmān pradhānaprabhur avyayaḥ

Translation

祂本性吉祥；祂即是劫法（Kalpa）——宇宙的法度。祂是诸世界的生主（Prajāpati）；至上的苦行者。祂是度者（Tāraka），令众生渡越轮回之海；大智者。祂为主宰原质（Pradhāna）之主，亦是不坏者（Avyaya）。

Word by Word

• कल्याण-प्रकृतिः (kalyāṇa-prakṛtiḥ): whose nature is auspicious

• कल्पः (kalpaḥ): cosmic order/aeon, the regulating ordinance

• सर्व-लोक-प्रजापतिः (sarva-loka-prajāpatiḥ): progenitor and lord of all worlds

• तपस्वी (tapasvī): ascetic, possessor of tapas

• तारकः (tārakaḥ): deliverer, savior, one who enables crossing over

• धीमान् (dhīmān): intelligent, wise

• प्रधान-प्रभुः (pradhāna-prabhuḥ): lord of Pradhāna (primordial matter/nature)

• अव्ययः (avyayaḥ): imperishable, undecaying

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 the sign of the Imperishable Pati—auspicious by nature, ruler of cosmic time (kalpa), and Lord over Pradhāna—so worship targets the transcendental source behind creation, not merely a material form.

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

Shiva is presented as Avyaya (unchanging) while also governing kalpa and pradhāna—showing Him as the transcendent Pati who presides over Nature and time yet remains untouched by their modifications.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The emphasis on Tapasvī and Tāraka supports Pāśupata-style disciplines—tapas, japa, and contemplative worship—aimed at crossing bondage (pāśa) so the pashu (soul) attains the grace of Pati.