Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मा हरिश् च रुद्रश् च शक्रः साक्षाच्छिवांबिका जीवश्चेन्दुर्महातेजा भास्करः पवनो ऽनलः

Transliteration

brahmā hariś ca rudraś ca śakraḥ sākṣācchivāṃbikā jīvaścendurmahātejā bhāskaraḥ pavano 'nalaḥ

Translation

Er ist Brahmā, Hari (Viṣṇu) und Rudra; er ist auch Śakra (Indra). Er ist unmittelbar Śiva selbst, zusammen mit Ambikā (Śakti). Er ist das jīva (die Einzelseele), der Mond von großer Strahlkraft, die Sonne, der Wind und das Feuer.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā (creator)

• हरिः: Hari/Viṣṇu (preserver)

• च: and

• रुद्रः: Rudra (dissolver aspect)

• शक्रः: Śakra/Indra (lord of the devas)

• साक्षात्: directly, in very truth

• शिव-अम्बिका: Śiva with Ambikā (Śakti/Devī)

• जीवः: jīva, the individual soul (paśu in bondage)

• च: and

• इन्दुः: Moon

• महातेजाः: of great radiance/splendor

• भास्करः: Sun

• पवनः: Wind (Vāyu)

• अनलः: Fire (Agni)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vishnu (Hari)
• Rudra
• Indra (Shakra)
• Shiva
• Ambika (Shakti/Parvati)
• Chandra (Indu)
• Surya (Bhaskara)
• Vayu (Pavana)
• Agni (Anala)
• Jiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Liṅga’s Lord (Pati) as the indwelling reality of all deities and cosmic powers—so worship of Śiva in the Liṅga is not sectarian but devotion to the one source sustaining sun, moon, fire, wind, and the devatās.

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

Śiva-tattva is presented as all-pervasive and sovereign: the same reality appears as Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Indra, and also as the luminaries and elements, while remaining directly united with Ambikā (Śakti), indicating inseparable consciousness-power (cit-śakti).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Pāśupata-style contemplation (bhāvanā) during pūjā: meditate that the jīva (paśu) and all cosmic functions are dependent on Pati (Śiva), strengthening non-dual focus in Liṅga-upāsanā rather than a specific external rite.