Shiva Leela - Part 2

Who is Lord Sharbha (Lord Sharbheshwara), another Purna Avatar of Lord Shiva and what is his story ?

The story of Lord Sharabheshwara or of Lord Sharabha is described in Sharabha Upanishad of Atharva Veda, Shiva Purana, Linga Purana and many Shaiva Agamas. The story of Sharabheshwara is not only Agamic/Tantric but it's also Vedic and Puranic. This describes the authenticity of the story.

Shri Shiva Purana and Shri Linga Purana describes story in this way, I will use some excellent words used in Shiva Purana and yes its a summary type of it :-

The powerful Daitya born as great sage Kashyapa’s son, Hiranyakashyapu wanted to take the revenge from the Lord of the Universe, Hari because he the Lord of Universe have killed his elder brother Hiranyaksha by taking his mightiest Varaha Avatar. He did a great penance for Bramha, and when the Adi Prajapati Lord Bramha was pleased, he asked the boon “None of your creations should kill me, either in day or in night, either in or out, nor on land, neither in sky and with no shastras !” Bramha gave him the boon. The Daitya after taking the boon started troubling the world and also troubled Devas. Dharma was looking like as its not surviving only. He hated the Brahmins as the most and use to destroy their punyakaari yagnas and killed innocent people. When he started hating and tried to kill his own son Prahlaad who became the greatest Vishnu devotee, Shri Vishnu, the Lord of Lakshmi and the Gods, assumed the form of Narsimmha. Shri Hari, came out from the pillar in the court hall. It was the dusk hence neither day, nor night ! His form of Narsimmha frightened all the powerful daityas and adharmis. He himself was death for all the daityas. His anger terrified Hiranyakashyapu who was earlier declaring himself to be a god.

This form of him was not only terrifying the daityas but also Maa Lakshmi and Devas in the heaven too. The powerful daityas were very easily killed by Narsimmha and then a great fight happened between those two and hence killed that Daitya. This gave peace and happiness in all the 3 worlds.

But his fury was not controlling and this terrified the devas and Lakshmi, the giver of prosperity, purity and good luck was in suspense. However Lord was still in the anger, his fury frightened the Devas ! They all then went to Lord Shiva and asked him to clam Lord Vishnu. Then Lord Shiva asked Lord Veerabhadra to clam Lord Vishnu. Then Lord Veerabhadra requested Lord Narsimmha to be calm many times but Shri Hari refused.

Then Lord Shiva took the form of Sarbheshwara and attacked Lord Narsimmha. Lord Sarbheshwara caught Lord Narsimmha like a Vulture catches snake and then by holding him tightly he immobilized him. He thus quelled Narasimha's terrifying rage.

Lord Narsimmha then composed Ashtottra Shatnamavalli Mantra (108 Names of Lord Shiva) and recited it. Then all the devas and Bramha himself came to Sarbheshwara and asked Hara to leave Narsimmha. Then Lord Shiva said “Yatha Jaley Jalam, Kshiptham, Ksheeram, Ksheeray Kruthang Kruthey Yekayeva Thatha Vishnu: Shiva Leetho Nachanyatha”
it means
Be aware that we are both one and the same like water and water, milk and milk, ghee and ghee, both inseparable and to be worshipped as one”

He made Lord Narsimmha cool down and let him return to his original Narayana swaroop from which the whole Universe gets benefit.

Linga Purana has its main aim on the Ashtottra Shatnamavalli Mantra so story there is small and same is said in Agamas and Sharbha Upanishad of Atharva Veda.

This was their own leela. This story doesn't shows any one’s supremacy over anyone. Just like Shri Hari defeated Lord Shiva in form of Krishna in the story of Banasura. So its their own leela which one shouldn't judge.

Hope it helps !!!!!!!!

Dhanyawaadam !!!!!!!

Jay Shiva Shankar Sambhu Mahadeva !!!!!!!!!