Shloka 60

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

Devanagari script

जगाम भगवान् ब्रह्मा तथान्ये च सुरोत्तमाः अथोत्थाय महादेवः शारभं रूपमास्थितः

Transliteration

jagāma bhagavān brahmā tathānye ca surottamāḥ athotthāya mahādevaḥ śārabhaṃ rūpamāsthitaḥ

Translation

ततः भगवान् ब्रह्मा जगाम, अन्ये च सुरोत्तमाः। अथोत्थाय महादेवः शारभं रूपमास्थितः।

Word by Word

• जगाम (jagāma): went/departed

• भगवान् (bhagavān): the Blessed Lord

• ब्रह्मा (brahmā): Brahmā

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

• अन्ये (anye): others

• च (ca): and

• सुरोत्तमाः (surottamāḥ): the best among the gods

• अथ (atha): then/thereupon

• उत्थाय (utthāya): rising up

• महादेवः (mahādevaḥ): Mahādeva (Śiva)

• शारभं (śārabhaṃ): the Śārabha form (a supreme, overpowering manifestation)

• रूपम् (rūpam): form

• आस्थितः (āsthitaḥ): assumed/took on

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages; describing the event)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Devas

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as the supreme Pati who can manifest beyond ordinary deva-forms; such supremacy underlies why the Linga is revered as the transcendent sign of Śiva-tattva rather than a merely anthropomorphic deity.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as sovereign freedom (svātantrya): Mahādeva can rise and assume the Śārabha form at will, indicating his lordship over cosmic powers and his role as protector and liberator.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights divine protection (dharma-rakṣā) rather than a specific rite; in a Shaiva Siddhānta reading, it supports Pāśupata-oriented surrender to Pati so that pasha-bonds are subdued by grace.