Origin of the Liṅga (liṅgodbhava) - Verse 22
Linga Purana (GRETIL / Wisdomlib) · 1 · Verse 17.22
Sanskrit Original
किमर्थं भाषसे मोहाद वक्तुमर्हसि सत्वरम। सो ऽपि मामाह जगतां कर्ताहमिति लोकय।।
kimarthaṃ bhāṣase mohād vaktumarhasi satvaram| so 'pi māmāha jagatāṃ kartāhamiti lokaya||
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.