Linga Purana

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.

अत्रान्योत्पातभूकम्पदवाग्निपांसुवृष्टिषु उल्कापाते महावाते विना वृष्ट्यातिवृष्टिषु

Here, in other calamities—earthquakes, forest fires, showers of sand, meteor falls, great winds, droughts, and excessive rains—

अतस्तत्र पठेद्विद्वाञ् छिवभक्तो दृढव्रतः यः पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि स्तवं सर्वमनुत्तमम्

Therefore, in those situations, a learned devotee of Shiva, firm in vow, who recites or listens to this supreme hymn in its entirety—

स रुद्रत्वं समासाद्य रुद्रस्यानुचरो भवेत्

He attains the state of Rudra and becomes an attendant of Rudra.

जलन्धरं जटामौलिः पुरा जम्भारिविक्रमम् कथं जघान भगवान् भगनेत्रहरो हरः

How did the matted-haired Lord, destroyer of Bhaga's eye, once slay Jalandhara, who was mighty like Jambha?

वक्तुमर्हसि चास्माकं रोमहर्षण सुव्रत जलन्धर इति ख्यातो जलमण्डलसंभवः

You ought to tell us, O Romaharshana, steadfast in vows, about Jalandhara, famed as born from the circle of water.

आसीदन्तकसंकाशस् तपसा लब्धविक्रमः तेन देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सयक्षोरगराक्षसाः

He was like Death in appearance, having gained strength through austerity; by him, the gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Nagas, and Rakshasas—

निर्जिताः समरे सर्वे ब्रह्मा च भगवानजः जित्वैव देवसंघातं ब्रह्माणं वै जलन्धरः

All were defeated in battle, including Brahma, the unborn Lord. Having conquered the host of gods, Jalandhara subdued Brahma.

जगाम देवदेवेशं विष्णुं विश्वहरं गुरुम् तयोः समभवद्युद्धं दिवारात्रम् अविश्रमम्

He went to Vishnu, Lord of gods, destroyer of the universe, and teacher; between them a battle arose, unceasing day and night.

जलन्धरेशयोस्तेन निर्जितो मधुसूदनः जलन्धरो ऽपि तं जित्वा देवदेवं जनार्दनम्

In that battle between Jalandhara and the lord, Madhusudana was defeated; Jalandhara, having conquered him, also overcame Janardana, the god of gods.

प्रोवाचेदं दितेः पुत्रान् न्यायधीर्जेतुमीश्वरम् सर्वे जिता मया युद्धे शङ्करो ह्यजितो रणे

He spoke thus to the sons of Diti, wise in justice, to conquer the Lord: 'All have been defeated by me in battle; Shankara alone is unconquered in war.'