Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 144
Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः
प्रणम्य नन्दिनं मूर्ध्ना सह तेन त्वरन् ययौ नन्दी भाति महातेजा वृषपृष्ठे वृषध्वजः
praṇamya nandinaṃ mūrdhnā saha tena tvaran yayau nandī bhāti mahātejā vṛṣapṛṣṭhe vṛṣadhvajaḥ
Bowing with his head to Nandin, he hastened onward together with him. There Nandin shone with immense radiance, and the Bull-bannered Lord (Śiva) appeared resplendent upon the bull’s back—Pati, the sovereign who leads the bound paśus toward release.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)
FAQs
It models the devotional protocol of approaching Śiva through reverence to Nandin—Śiva’s foremost gaṇa and guardian of Śaiva sanctity—indicating that humility and proper approach (ācāra) are integral to fruitful Liṅga-upāsanā.
Śiva is indicated as Vṛṣadhvaja and radiant with tejas—Pati, the supreme Lord who stands beyond bondage (pāśa) and guides paśus toward liberation, while remaining accessible through His attendants and symbols.
The key practice is praṇāma (bowing) and disciplined, purposeful movement toward the Lord—an external sign of inner surrender central to Pāśupata-oriented devotion and Śaiva pūjā-vidhi.