Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 98

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मगर्भो बृहद्गर्भो धर्मधेनुर्धनागमः जगद्धितैषी सुगतः कुमारः कुशलागमः

Transliteration

brahmagarbho bṛhadgarbho dharmadhenurdhanāgamaḥ jagaddhitaiṣī sugataḥ kumāraḥ kuśalāgamaḥ

Translation

祂是梵天之胎藏，亦是广大宇宙之胎藏；为法之母牛，亦是一切财富与正当资粮之源。祂愿诸世界得安乐，行于吉祥之道。常住青春，赐予安康，并开示真实灵性福祉之诸道。

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मगर्भः: the womb/source of Brahmā (creator-function)

• बृहद्गर्भः: the vast cosmic womb (all-containing source)

• धर्मधेनुः: the wish-fulfilling cow of dharma (giver of righteousness and merit)

• धनागमः: source/arrival of wealth (prosperity through right order)

• जगद्धितैषी: seeker of the world's welfare

• सुगतः: of auspicious going/one who leads to a good path (liberating course)

• कुमारः: ever-youthful Lord (eternal freshness of consciousness)

• कुशलागमः: bringer of well-being / teacher of auspicious doctrine (śiva-śāstra that yields welfare)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It praises Shiva as the all-containing source (garbha) behind creation and dharma—so Linga worship is presented as honoring the Pati who sustains cosmic order, grants prosperity through righteousness, and leads the devotee toward liberation.

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

Shiva is portrayed as both transcendent cause and immanent support: the cosmic womb from which even Brahmā’s creative function arises, and the benevolent Lord who actively seeks jagat-hita (the welfare of all beings), guiding the pashu beyond pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

While not naming a specific rite, the epithets imply Pashupata-oriented sādhanā: aligning one’s life with dharma (dharmadhenu), seeking śiva-śāstra that yields kuśala (kuśalāgama), and following the sugati—Shiva’s auspicious path toward freedom from bondage.