Origin of the Liṅga (liṅgodbhava) - Verse 18
Linga Purana (GRETIL / Wisdomlib) · 1 · Verse 17.18
Sanskrit Original
स्वागतंस्वागतं वत्स पितामह महाद्युते। तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्मितपूर्वं सुरर्षभाः।।
svāgataṃsvāgataṃ vatsa pitāmaha mahādyute| tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā smitapūrvaṃ surarṣabhāḥ||
Brahmā said: “I welcome you, O dear Brahmā of great brilliance.” O leading Devas, when I heard his words uttered smilingly my arrogance was provoked by rajas and I spoke to him thus: “With smiles within, you call me by the appellation ‘Dear’ (as if I were inferior to you). But know that I am the cause of creation and annihilation of the universe. O sinless one, you address me as a preceptor would address his disciple. But I am the creator of the universe, the promptor of Prakṛti, the eternal, unborn Brahmā, the origin and soul of the universe. I am the lotus-eyed lord. Now tell me quickly why you speak thus in utter delusion.