Shloka 10
अनरण्यसुता–पिप्पलादचरितम् / The Episode of Anaraṇya’s Daughter and Sage Pippalāda
दृष्ट्वा तां सुन्दरीं पद्मामुवाच स वृषो विभुः । विज्ञातुं भावमन्तःस्थं तस्याश्च मुनियोषितः
dṛṣṭvā tāṃ sundarīṃ padmāmuvāca sa vṛṣo vibhuḥ | vijñātuṃ bhāvamantaḥsthaṃ tasyāśca muniyoṣitaḥ
Seeing the beautiful Padmā, the mighty Bull Nandin, the all-powerful one, spoke—wishing to know the feeling hidden within her heart, for she was the wife of a sage.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; within the story, Nandin is the one who speaks)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga identification; the bull-figure functions as an agent of dharma and concealment, initiating speech to reveal inner bhāva.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights that inner bhāva (the hidden intention of the heart) is central to spiritual discernment—an emphasis consistent with Shaiva devotion where sincerity and inner purity guide right action and grace.
Saguna Shiva worship in the Shiva Purana repeatedly stresses that offerings to the Linga bear fruit according to the devotee’s inner disposition; here, the focus on knowing the heart’s intention echoes that Shiva (and his attendants) regard bhāva as primary, not mere outward form.
A practical takeaway is bhāva-śuddhi: before japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” or Linga-pūjā with bhasma and rudrākṣa, one should examine and purify the inner motive through brief self-inquiry and prayer for Shiva’s guidance.