Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

तव पुत्रो भविष्यामि नन्दिनाम्ना त्वयोनिजः पिता भविष्यसि मम पितुर्वै जगतां मुने

Transliteration

tava putro bhaviṣyāmi nandināmnā tvayonijaḥ pitā bhaviṣyasi mama piturvai jagatāṃ mune

Translation

“I shall become your son, bearing the name Nandī—born not from a womb but from you alone. And you, O sage of the worlds, shall indeed become the father of My father.”

Word by Word

• तव: your

• पुत्रो: son

• भविष्यामि: I shall become

• नन्दिनाम्ना: by the name Nandī

• त्वयोनिजः: not womb-born, born from you (yourself)

• पिता: father

• भविष्यसि: you will become

• मम: of me/my

• पितुर्वै: indeed of (my) father

• जगताम्: of the worlds

• मुने: O sage

Speaker

A divine voice/being declaring the future advent of Nandī (Nandikeśvara) to a sage

Characters & Entities

• Nandi

FAQs

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

It establishes Nandī as a divinely manifested being intimately connected to Shiva’s sacred order; in Linga worship, Nandī functions as the foremost attendant and threshold-guardian, embodying devotion (bhakti) and disciplined approach to the Linga.

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

By describing a birth “not from a womb” (ayonija), it points to Shiva’s śakti of manifestation beyond ordinary karmic generation—Pati’s freedom to project forms for protecting dharma and guiding paśus (souls) toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies the Shaiva discipline of approaching Shiva’s presence through ordained guardianship and lineage—honoring Nandī before Linga-pūjā and adopting vrata-like restraint and devotion aligned with Pāśupata-oriented conduct.