Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

तं तुष्टुवुः सुरश्रेष्ठा लोका लोकाचले स्थिताः सब्रह्मकाः ससाध्याश् च सयमाः समरुद्गणाः

Transliteration

taṃ tuṣṭuvuḥ suraśreṣṭhā lokā lokācale sthitāḥ sabrahmakāḥ sasādhyāś ca sayamāḥ samarudgaṇāḥ

Translation

Les plus éminents des dieux Le célébrèrent; et les mondes demeurant en Lokācala—avec Brahmā, les Sādhyas, Yama et les cohortes des Maruts—offrirent leurs hymnes. Ainsi, tous les ordres cosmiques reconnurent le Pati suprême, le Seigneur qui, seul, délie le pāśa (lien) des paśus (âmes).

Word by Word

• tam: Him (that Supreme Lord)

• tuṣṭuvuḥ: praised, extolled

• sura-śreṣṭhāḥ: the best among the devas

• lokāḥ: the worlds/realms

• lokācale: in/at Lokācala (the cosmic mountain/abode)

• sthitāḥ: situated, abiding

• sa-brahmakāḥ: together with Brahmā

• sa-sādhyāḥ: together with the Sādhyas (a class of celestial beings)

• ca: and

• sa-yamāḥ: together with Yama

• sa-marut-gaṇāḥ: together with the groups/hosts of the Maruts (storm-deities).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Sadhyas
• Yama
• Maruts

FAQs

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

It shows that even the highest cosmic authorities—Brahmā and the devas—respond to the Supreme Lord with stuti (hymnic praise), implying that Linga-oriented worship is not merely personal devotion but a universal, cosmic act of acknowledging Pati.

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

By depicting all worlds and divine orders praising Him, the verse frames Shiva-tattva as sovereign and all-pervading—the Supreme Pati recognized across realms, beyond limited deva-status, as the ultimate refuge and ruler.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Stuti (recitation of praise) is highlighted as a core devotional discipline that supports Pashupata orientation—turning the pashu’s attention toward Pati—often paired in practice with japa, dhyana, and Linga-puja.