Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

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

Devanagari script

प्रह्रादः पूजयामास नमो नारायणेति च नमो नारायणायेति सर्वदैत्यकुमारकान्

Transliteration

prahrādaḥ pūjayāmāsa namo nārāyaṇeti ca namo nārāyaṇāyeti sarvadaityakumārakān

Translation

Si Prahlāda ay sumamba nang may paggalang, at sinanay ang lahat ng mga prinsipe ng mga Daitya na yumukod sa pagbati: “Namo Nārāyaṇa” at “Namo Nārāyaṇāya.” Sa pag-unawang Śaiva, ang ganitong disiplinadong bhakti ay naglilinis sa paśu (kaluluwang nakagapos) at naghahanda upang makilala ang iisang Pati—si Śiva—na siya ring panloob na Sarili ni Nārāyaṇa, lampas sa anumang pagkakahating sektaryo.

Word by Word

• प्रह्रादः: Prahlāda

• पूजयामास: worshipped/revered

• नमः: homage/salutation

• नारायण: Nārāyaṇa (all-pervading Lord)

• इति: thus/so

• च: and

• नारायणाय: to Nārāyaṇa (dative form)

• सर्व: all

• दैत्य: of the Daityas (Asuras)

• कुमारकान्: young princes/sons

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages; internal episode describing Prahlada)

Characters & Entities

• Prahlada
• Narayana

FAQs

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

It shows the foundational discipline of devotion and repeated salutation (namo-japa). In the Linga Purana’s Shaiva frame, such bhakti refines the paśu (soul) and becomes a preparatory samskāra for later Śiva-pūjā and Linga-upāsanā.

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

Though Nārāyaṇa is named explicitly, the Purana’s theology commonly reads this as non-dual reverence: the supreme Pati (Śiva) is the indwelling reality not opposed to Nārāyaṇa. The verse supports the Hari-Hara unity that culminates in recognizing Śiva-tattva as the highest liberating principle.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa and disciplined bhakti instruction—teaching a community to perform namas (salutation) as a daily practice. This aligns with Shaiva sādhanā as a means to loosen pāśa (bondage) and stabilize the mind for higher yoga.