Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

नन्दी यज्ञाङ्गणे देवश् चावतीर्णो यतः प्रभुः मत्समः कः पुमांल्लोके देवो वा दानवो ऽपि वा

Transliteration

nandī yajñāṅgaṇe devaś cāvatīrṇo yataḥ prabhuḥ matsamaḥ kaḥ pumāṃlloke devo vā dānavo 'pi vā

Translation

Da der Herr selbst als Nandī in die Opferstätte herabgestiegen ist: Wer in dieser Welt—sei es ein Gott oder gar ein Asura—kann mir gleich sein?

Word by Word

• नन्दी (nandī): Nandī

• यज्ञ-अङ्गणे (yajña-aṅgaṇe): in the sacrificial courtyard/arena

• देवः (devaḥ): the Divine One

• च (ca): and

• अवतीर्णः (avatīrṇaḥ): descended/manifested

• यतः (yataḥ): since/because

• प्रभुः (prabhuḥ): the Lord, the Sovereign

• मत्समः (matsamaḥ): equal to me

• कः (kaḥ): who?

• पुमान् (pumān): a person/being

• लोके (loke): in the world

• देवः (devaḥ): a god

• वा (vā): or

• दानवः (dānavaḥ): a demon

• अपि (api): even

• वा (vā): or

Speaker

Shiva (as the supreme Pati, asserting his unsurpassed status in the yajna context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi

FAQs

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

It establishes that the efficacy of yajña and all ritual power ultimately depends on Shiva as Pati; his manifestation as Nandī signals that worship (including Linga-pūjā) is fulfilled when aligned to Shiva’s sovereign presence, not merely by external rites.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as unsurpassable and independent—beyond comparison with devas or dānavas—affirming Shiva as the supreme Lord (Prabhu/Pati) whose descent (avatāra) governs and sanctifies the sacrificial order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implicitly critiques ritualism devoid of Shiva-bhakti and points toward Pāśupata orientation: surrender of the paśu (bound soul) to Pati, recognizing Shiva as the inner authority behind yajña and all sacred action.