Shloka 24

Indra’s Account: Shilada’s Tapas and Shiva’s Manifestation as Nandi

Devanagari script

नन्दा भद्रा च सुरभी सुशीला सुमनास् तथा वृषेन्द्रश् च महातेजा धर्मो धर्मात्मजस् तथा

Transliteration

nandā bhadrā ca surabhī suśīlā sumanās tathā vṛṣendraś ca mahātejā dharmo dharmātmajas tathā

Translation

نَندا، وبَهدرا، وسورَبهي، وسوشيلا، وسومَنا—ومعهن ڤرشيندرا ذو الإشراق العظيم—يُذكرن أيضًا؛ وكذلك دَرما، والابن الذي يتجسّد فيه دَرما نفسه.

Word by Word

• नन्दा (nandā): Nandā (a named figure)

• भद्रा (bhadrā): Bhadrā (a named figure, ‘auspicious’)

• सुरभी (surabhī): Surabhī (the fragrant/celestial cow)

• सुशीला (suśīlā): Suśīlā (‘of good conduct’, a proper name)

• सुमनास् (sumanās): Sumanā/Sumanas (‘good-minded’, a proper name)

• तथा (tathā): and also

• वृषेन्द्रः (vṛṣendraḥ): Vṛṣendra (‘lord among bulls’, a proper name)

• महातेजाः (mahātejāḥ): of great splendor/energy

• धर्मः (dharmaḥ): Dharma (righteous order, also a deity/person)

• धर्मात्मजः (dharmātmajaḥ): born of/son of Dharma

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Dharma
• Surabhi
• Vṛṣendra

FAQs

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

It anchors Shiva-oriented practice in a Dharmic cosmic order: auspicious lineages and principles (Dharma) are enumerated to show that Linga-puja is not isolated ritual, but harmonized with ṛta/dharma that sustains creation.

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

Indirectly: by listing Dharma-born figures, it implies that Shiva as Pati is the transcendent ground in which dharma (order) functions; the Pashu (soul) progresses toward Shiva through alignment with dharma, loosening pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this line; the takeaway is preparatory—Pashupata-aligned discipline begins with dharmic conduct (sadācāra) as the ethical base for Shiva-puja and yoga.