Shloka 8
Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana
Churning of the Milk Ocean
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । नभोगता तदा वाणीं निशम्याथ सुरासुरः । उद्योगं चक्रिरे सर्वे तत्कर्तुं मुनिसत्तम
nandīśvara uvāca | nabhogatā tadā vāṇīṃ niśamyātha surāsuraḥ | udyogaṃ cakrire sarve tatkartuṃ munisattama
قال ننديشڤرا: «يا خيرَ الحكماء، لما سمع الدِّيفاتُ والآسوراتُ تلك الكلمةَ التي دوّت في السماء، نهضوا جميعًا وبادروا إلى الاستعداد لإنجاز ما أُمِروا به».
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Nandīśvara’s narration frames the devas/asuras as instruments moved by divine prompting; no Jyotirliṅga localization.
Cosmic Event: Collective ‘udyoga’ begins after the sky-borne voice—cosmic events unfold through prompted agency.
FAQs
It highlights śravaṇa (sacred listening) leading to right action: when a divine injunction is heard, beings—whether deva or asura—are moved to undertake purposeful effort, showing that transformative power begins with receiving a higher command and responding with disciplined resolve.
The ‘voice from the sky’ functions like ājñā (divine directive) that turns attention toward Saguna Shiva’s will in the world; in Linga-worship too, devotees first receive instruction (mantra/vidhi) and then prepare themselves to perform the prescribed acts with reverence and order.
The verse implies readiness after sacred hearing—prepare mind and conduct before practice; a practical takeaway is to begin Shiva-sādhana with attentive śravaṇa of mantra/śāstra, then proceed to japa of the Panchākṣarī and orderly pūjā with steadiness and commitment.