Linga Purana

एवं विज्ञापयन्प्रीतः शङ्करं नरकेसरी नन्वशक्तो भवान् विष्णो जीवितान्तं पराजितः

Thus, expressing himself in this way to Śaṅkara, the lion-man, said: 'Indeed, O Viṣṇu, you are powerless, defeated at the end of life.'

तद्वक्त्रशेषमात्रान्तं कृत्वा सर्वस्य विग्रहम् शुक्तिशित्यं तदा मङ्गं वीरभद्रः क्षणात्ततः

Then, having made only the face remain, and having destroyed the entire form, Vīrabhadra instantly subdued that fierce being.

अथ ब्रह्मादयः सर्वे वीरभद्र त्वया दृशा जीविताः स्मो वयं देवाः पर्जन्येनेव पादपाः

Then all the gods, beginning with Brahmā, said: 'O Vīrabhadra, by your sight we gods have been revived, like trees by rain.'

यस्य भीषा दहत्यग्निर् उदेति च रविः स्वयम् वातो वाति च सो ऽसि त्वं मृत्युर्धावति पञ्चमः

By whose command fire burns, the sun rises by itself, and the wind blows—such are you; death runs as the fifth.

यदव्यक्तं परं व्योम कलातीतं सदाशिवम् भगवंस्त्वामेव भवं वदन्ति ब्रह्मवादिनः

That which is unmanifest, the supreme space, beyond divisions, the eternal Śiva—O Lord, the knowers of Brahman declare you alone to be that.

के वयमेव धातुक्ये वेदने परमेश्वरः न विद्धि परमं धाम रूपलावण्यवर्णने

Who are we, indeed, in the realm of elements and perception? The Supreme Lord is not to be known by descriptions of form, beauty, or color.

उपसर्गेषु सर्वेषु त्रायस्वास्मान् गणाधिप एकादशात्मन् भगवान् वर्तते रूपवान् हरः

In all calamities, protect us, O lord of the gaṇas, eleven-formed one; the blessed Hara exists in manifold forms.

ईदृशान् ते ऽवताराणि दृष्ट्वा शिव बहूंस्तमः कदाचित् संदिहेन् नास्मांस् त्वच्चिन्तास्तमया तथा

Having witnessed such numerous incarnations of yours, O Shiva, darkness may sometimes arise, but we are not affected, for our thoughts are dispelled by contemplation of you.

गुञ्जागिरिवरतटा-मितरूपाणि सर्वशः अभ्यसंहर गम्यं ते न नीतव्यं परापरा

All the various forms you have assumed on the slopes of Guñja Mountain, withdraw them; your destination is not to be led by distinctions of higher and lower.

द्वे तनू तव रुद्रस्य वेदज्ञा ब्राह्मणा विदुः घोराप्यन्या शिवाप्यन्या ते प्रत्येकमनेकधा

The Brahmins who know the Vedas recognize two bodies of Rudra: one fierce, the other auspicious; each of these is manifold in its own way.

इहास्मान्पाहि भगवन् नित्याहतमहाबलः भवता हि जगत्सर्वं व्याप्तं स्वेनैव तेजसा

Protect us here, O Lord, ever unconquered and mighty; for the entire world is pervaded by your own radiance.

ब्रह्मविष्ण्विन्द्रचन्द्रादि वयं च प्रमुखाः सुराः सुरासुराः सम्प्रसूतास् त्वत्तः सर्वे महेश्वर

Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, Chandra, and we foremost gods, as well as all gods and demons, have arisen from you, O Maheshvara.

ब्रह्मा च इन्द्रो विष्णुश् च यमाद्या न सुरासुरान् ततो निगृह्य च हरिं सिंह इत्य् उपचेतसम्

Brahma, Indra, Vishnu, Yama and others, after subduing gods and demons, addressed Hari as 'Lion' in their minds.

यतो बिभर्षि सकलं विभज्य तनुमष्टधा अतो ऽस्मान् पाहि भगवन् सुरान् दानैर् अभीप्सितैः

Since you bear all things, dividing your body into eight forms, therefore protect us, O Lord, with the gifts desired by the gods.

उवाच तान् सुरान्देवो महर्षींश् च पुरातनान् यथा जले जलं क्षिप्तं क्षीरं क्षीरे घृतं घृते

The divine Lord spoke to those gods and ancient sages: 'Just as water merges in water, milk in milk, ghee in ghee—'

एक एव तदा विष्णुः शिवलीनो न चान्यथा एष एव नृसिंहात्मा सदर्पश् च महाबलः

At that time, Vishnu alone was merged in Shiva, and not otherwise; this very one is the soul of Narasimha, proud and immensely strong.

जगत्संहारकारेण प्रवृत्तो नरकेसरी याजनीयो नमस्तस्मै मद्भक्तिसिद्धिकाङ्क्षिभिः

The lion-man, engaged in the destruction of the world, is to be worshipped; salutations to him by those who seek the attainment of devotion to me.

एतावदुक्त्वा भगवान् वीरभद्रो महाबलः अपश्यन् सर्वभूतानां तत्रैवान्तरधीयत

Having spoken thus, the mighty Virabhadra vanished from sight among all beings right there.

नृसिंहकृत्तिवसनस् तदाप्रभृति शङ्करः वक्त्रं तन्मुण्डमालायां नायकत्वेन कल्पितम्

From that time onward, Shankara wore the skin of Narasimha; his face was established as the leader in the garland of skulls.

ततो देवा निरातङ्काः कीर्तयन्तः कथामिमाम् विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयना जग्मुः सर्वे यथागतम्

Then the gods, free from fear, recited this story, their eyes wide with astonishment, and all departed as they had come.

य इदं परमाख्यानं पुण्यं वेदैः समन्वितम् पठित्वा शृणुते चैव सर्वदुःखविनाशनम्

Whoever reads or listens to this supreme, sacred narrative, accompanied by the Vedas, will have all suffering destroyed.

धन्यं यशस्यम् आयुष्यम् आरोग्यं पुष्टिवर्धनम् सर्वविघ्नप्रशमनं सर्वव्याधिविनाशनम्

It brings fortune, fame, long life, health, and increases strength; it removes all obstacles and destroys every disease.

अपमृत्युप्रशमनं महाशान्तिकरं शुभम् अरिचक्रप्रशमनं सर्वाधिप्रविनाशनम्

It dispels premature death, brings great peace and auspiciousness, removes the circle of enemies, and destroys all rulers.

ततो दुःस्वप्नशमनं सर्वभूतनिवारणम् विषग्रहक्षयकरं पुत्रपौत्रादिवर्धनम्

It removes evil dreams, wards off all beings, destroys poisons and planets, and increases sons, grandsons, and so forth.

योगसिद्धिप्रदं सम्यक् शिवज्ञानप्रकाशकम् शेषलोकस्य सोपानं वाञ्छितार्थैकसाधनम्

It grants perfect yogic powers, reveals the knowledge of Shiva, is the stairway to the highest world, and the sole means to attain desired goals.

विष्णुमायानिरसनं देवतापरमार्थदम् वाञ्छासिद्धिप्रदं चैव ऋद्धिप्रज्ञादिसाधनम्

It dispels the illusion of Vishnu, grants the ultimate truth of the deities, bestows fulfillment of desires, and is the means for prosperity, wisdom, and other attainments.

इदं तु शरभाकारं परं रूपं पिनाकिनः प्रकाशितव्यं भक्तेषु चिरेषूद्यमितेषु च

This supreme form of the wielder of the Pinaka, in the shape of Sharabha, should be revealed to devotees who are steadfast and diligent.

तैरेव पठितव्यं च श्रोतव्यं च शिवात्मभिः शिवोत्सवेषु सर्वेषु चतुर्दश्यष्टमीषु च

It should be recited and heard by those whose essence is Shiva, during all festivals of Shiva, and on the fourteenth and eighth days.

पठेत्प्रतिष्ठाकालेषु शिवसन्निधिकारणम् चोरव्याघ्राहिसिंहान्तकृतो राजभयेषु च

One should recite it at the time of consecration, for the purpose of Shiva's presence, and also in times of fear from thieves, tigers, serpents, lions, and kings.