The verse and its meaning · Stotras · Stotras — Lingashtakam

Worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu

Lingashtakam 1

ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गम् निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम् । जन्मजदुःखविनाशकलिङ्गम् तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्

Meaning · English

Worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and the gods, shining with spotless light, ending the sorrow that comes with being born: to that linga of Sadashiva I bow.

The hymn opens by naming who already bows to this stone form of Shiva. Brahma, who makes the world, and Vishnu, who keeps it, come first in the list, with the rest of the gods after them. Then it says what the linga is like: clean, with nothing clouding its shine. Then it says what the linga does: it ends the sorrow that comes simply from being born. The last line is the singer's response, repeated through the whole hymn: to that, I bow.

Picture a small shrine in a busy street where the shopkeepers, the old priest and the richest man in town all stop to bow. A newcomer does not need it explained; the line of people tells them it matters. Brahma and Vishnu at the head of the line do the same for the linga.

अर्थ · हिन्दी

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