Shloka 24

Varaha-Pradurbhava Context: Prahlada’s Bhakti, Narasimha’s Ugra-Form, and Shiva’s Sharabha Intervention

Devanagari script

यज्ञभुग्यज्ञमूर्तिस्त्वं यज्ञिनां फलदः प्रभुः भवान्मत्स्याकृतिः कौर्मम् आस्थाय जगति स्थितः

Transliteration

yajñabhugyajñamūrtistvaṃ yajñināṃ phaladaḥ prabhuḥ bhavānmatsyākṛtiḥ kaurmam āsthāya jagati sthitaḥ

Translation

Du bist der Genießer des Opfers und die Gestalt des Yajña selbst; o Herr, du verleihst den Opfernden die Frucht. In den Formen des Fisches und der Schildkröte bleibst du in der Welt gegründet und trägst sie von innen her.

Word by Word

• यज्ञभुक् (yajñabhuk): enjoyer/receiver of sacrificial offerings

• यज्ञमूर्तिः (yajñamūrtiḥ): whose form is the sacrifice/embodiment of yajña

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• यज्ञिनाम् (yajñinām): of the sacrificers/performers of yajña

• फलदः (phaladaḥ): giver of results/fruits

• प्रभुः (prabhuḥ): Lord, sovereign

• भवान् (bhavān): you (honorific)

• मत्स्य-आकृतिः (matsyākṛtiḥ): having the form of a fish

• कौर्मम् (kaurmam): the tortoise-form (pertaining to Kūrma)

• आस्थाय (āsthāya): having assumed/taken refuge in

• जगति (jagati): in the world

• स्थितः (sthitaḥ): abiding, established

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the hymn/context of praise within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Matsya
• Kurma

FAQs

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

It teaches that all ritual power culminates in Pati (Shiva): the offering, the rite, and the fruit are fulfilled only when dedicated to him—supporting Linga-puja as the inward completion of yajña.

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

Shiva is presented as both immanent and transcendent: immanent as the very form of yajña and the indwelling sustainer of the world, and transcendent as the sovereign giver of results who is not bound by the act.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is phala-sannyāsa (surrender of results): perform yajña/puja as an offering to Pati, recognizing him as the inner enjoyer—an attitude aligned with Shaiva discipline and Pashupata-oriented devotion.