Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47

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

Devanagari script

भीमाय भीमरूपाय भीमकर्मरताय ते अग्रेवधाय वै भूत्वा नमो दूरेवधाय च

Transliteration

bhīmāya bhīmarūpāya bhīmakarmaratāya te agrevadhāya vai bhūtvā namo dūrevadhāya ca

Translation

Pagpupugay sa Iyo, ang Kakila-kilabot—kakila-kilabot ang anyo at nalulugod sa kakila-kilabot na gawa—na nagiging Tagapagpuksa sa unahan at winawasak ang mga kaaway; at pagpupugay rin sa Iyo na pumapanaig at pumapatay mula sa malayo. Bilang Pati, pinuputol Mo ang mga tali ng pāśa na gumagapos sa paśu, maging ang hadlang ay malapit o malayo.

Word by Word

• भीमाय: to the Terrible One

• भीमरूपाय: to Him of terrible/fearsome form

• भीमकर्मरताय: to Him intent upon fearsome acts (for protection and destruction of evil)

• ते: to You

• अग्रेवधाय: to the slayer in front/first slayer, the one who destroys foremost

• वै: indeed

• भूत्वा: having become/assuming (that role)

• नमः: salutation

• दूरेवधाय: to the slayer from afar, who destroys at a distance

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a Shaiva stotra/namaskara within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as refuge in Pati (Shiva) who actively protects the devotee by destroying inner and outer obstacles—those “near” and those “far”—thereby safeguarding the worship and the worshipper.

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

Shiva is praised as Bhīma—terrible not as cruelty, but as sovereign power that annihilates adharma and bondage; His fearsome form and action express His lordship as Pati who can sever pasha and liberate the pashu.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It implies protective japa/stotra-recitation as an upacāra to the Linga—invoking Shiva’s Bhairava-like potency to remove obstacles and hostile forces, supporting steadiness in Pashupata-oriented discipline and worship.