Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

प्रीत्या प्रणम्य पुण्यात्मा तुष्टावेष्टप्रदं सुतम् शिलाद उवाच भगवन्देवदेवेश त्रियंबक ममाव्यय

Transliteration

prītyā praṇamya puṇyātmā tuṣṭāveṣṭapradaṃ sutam śilāda uvāca bhagavandevadeveśa triyaṃbaka mamāvyaya

Translation

Bowing with loving devotion, the virtuous Śilāda praised the Lord who grants the wished-for boons as a son would. Then Śilāda said: “O Bhagavān, Lord of the lords of the gods, O Tryambaka, O imperishable One—hear my prayer.”

Word by Word

• प्रीत्या: with affection, in devotion

• प्रणम्य: having bowed/prostrated

• पुण्यात्मा: the virtuous-souled one

• तुष्टाव: praised

• इष्ट-प्रदम्: bestower of desired wishes/boons

• सुतम्: as a son / son-like (beloved grantor)

• शिलादः: Śilāda (the sage)

• उवाच: said

• भगवन्: O Blessed Lord

• देव-देव-ईश: Lord of the lords of the gods

• त्र्यम्बक: Tryambaka (three-eyed Śiva)

• मम: my

• अव्यय: imperishable, undecaying (epithet of Śiva)

Speaker

Śilāda

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Tryambaka
• Śilāda

FAQs

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

It models the core sequence of Śaiva approach—praṇāma (surrender) followed by stuti (praise) before making a request—showing that devotion to Pati (Śiva) precedes the granting of iṣṭa (desired fruits) in Linga-centered worship.

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

Śiva is addressed as Devadeveśa and Tryambaka, and as avyaya (imperishable), indicating Him as Pati—unchanging Lord beyond decay—who can loosen pāśa (bondage) and bestow grace upon the paśu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Praṇāma with prīti (loving devotion) and stuti function as essential preparatory limbs of Śaiva sādhana—aligning the paśu’s intent toward Pati before seeking boons or engaging deeper Pāśupata discipline.