Varaha-Pradurbhava Context: Prahlada’s Bhakti, Narasimha’s Ugra-Form, and Shiva’s Sharabha Intervention
अघोररूपाय विकटाय विकटशरीराय ते नमः /* पुरुषरूपाय पुरुषैकतत्पुरुषाय वै नमः
aghorarūpāya vikaṭāya vikaṭaśarīrāya te namaḥ /* puruṣarūpāya puruṣaikatatpuruṣāya vai namaḥ
Sembah sujud kepada-Mu yang berwujud Aghora—menggetarkan namun pada hakikatnya tidak menakutkan—namun menzahir sebagai Yang Perkasa, Vikaṭa, dengan tubuh yang gagah dan menakjubkan. Sembah sujud juga kepada-Mu yang berwujud Puruṣa—Tatpuruṣa Yang Esa, Puruṣa yang tunggal, Pati, Tuhan yang melampaui segala paśu yang terikat.
Suta Goswami (narrating a Shiva-stuti within the Linga Purana discourse)
This verse functions as a namaskāra (salutatory mantra) that aligns the worshipper’s mind with Shiva as the Linga’s indwelling Pati—both awe-inspiring in manifestation (vikaṭa) and supremely benevolent in essence (Aghora).
It presents Shiva as Tatpuruṣa—the unique Supreme Puruṣa—signifying the transcendental Lord who is not a bound paśu, but the liberating Pati who stands beyond pasha (bondage) while also assuming powerful forms for cosmic governance.
Japa and dhyāna based on divine epithets: repeating “namaḥ” with contemplation of Aghora and Tatpuruṣa supports Pāśupata-style inner worship, where devotion and insight loosen pasha and orient the paśu toward the Pati.