Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

प्रह्राद जीविते वाञ्छा तवैषा शृणु चास्ति चेत् श्रुत्वापि तस्य वचनं हिरण्यकशिपोः सुधीः

Transliteration

prahrāda jīvite vāñchā tavaiṣā śṛṇu cāsti cet śrutvāpi tasya vacanaṃ hiraṇyakaśipoḥ sudhīḥ

Translation

പ്രഹ്ലാദാ, നിനക്ക് ഇനിയും ജീവിക്കണമെന്ന ആഗ്രഹമുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ ഈ വാക്ക് കേൾക്കുക. നിന്റെ വചനങ്ങൾ കേട്ടിട്ടും ‘സുധി’ ഹിരണ്യകശിപു അവ സ്വീകരിച്ചില്ല.

Word by Word

• प्रह्राद (Prahlāda): O Prahlāda

• जीविते (jīvite): in life / for survival

• वाञ्छा (vāñchā): desire, wish

• तव (tava): your

• एषा (eṣā): this

• शृणु (śṛṇu): listen

• च (ca): and

• अस्ति (asti): there is

• चेत् (cet): if

• श्रुत्वा अपि (śrutvā api): even after hearing

• तस्य (tasya): his

• वचनम् (vacanam): speech, statement

• हिरण्यकशिपोः (hiraṇyakaśipoḥ): of Hiraṇyakaśipu

• सुधीः (sudhīḥ): the intelligent one (ironically used).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; internal speech attributed to Hiranyakashipu or his side as admonition to Prahlada)

Characters & Entities

• Prahlada
• Hiranyakashipu

FAQs

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

It contrasts true śraddhā (steadfast devotion) with ego-bound ‘wisdom’; in Linga-oriented Shaiva framing, the Pashu (individual soul) must not be intimidated away from Pati-bhakti, even when worldly power threatens life.

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

Indirectly, it shows that Pati-tattva is not grasped by mere intellect allied with pride; when the mind is bound by pāśa (bondage), even correct counsel is rejected—whereas surrender to the Lord (Pati) is the liberating orientation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is dhāraṇā-like steadiness: not wavering under fear of death. This supports a Pāśupata-style discipline where the aspirant remains fixed in the Lord despite hostility, rather than focusing on external rites in that moment.