Shloka 26

नन्दाव्रत-समाप्तिः तथा शङ्करस्य प्रत्यक्ष-दर्शनम्

Completion of the Nandā-vrata and Śiva’s Direct Appearance

Devanagari script

समाधाय मनः शंभुर्लौकिकीं गतिमाश्रितः । चिंतयामास देवर्षे मनसा मां वृषध्वजः

Transliteration

samādhāya manaḥ śaṃbhurlaukikīṃ gatimāśritaḥ | ciṃtayāmāsa devarṣe manasā māṃ vṛṣadhvajaḥ

Translation

Having steadied His mind, Śambhu—outwardly adopting a worldly manner—began to contemplate me within, O divine sage; the Bull-bannered Lord reflected upon me in His heart.

Word by Word

• समाधाय: having composed/settled
• समाधाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-धा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), धातु: सम्+आ+धा; ‘having placed/settled’

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• शम्भुः: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• लौकिकीम्: worldly
• लौकिकीम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लौकिकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• गतिम्: course/state/way
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• आश्रितः: having resorted to
• आश्रितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-श्रि (धातु)
• Form: क्त (Past Passive Participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘having resorted to’

• चिन्तयामास: he thought/pondered
• चिन्तयामास: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चिन्त् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देवर्षे: O divine sage
• देवर्षे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; देव + ऋषि (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• मनसा: with (his) mind
• मनसा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वृषध्वजः: Bull-bannered (Śiva)
• वृषध्वजः: Karta (कर्ता) (apposition to शम्भुः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; वृष + ध्वज ‘whose banner is the bull’ (बहुव्रीहि)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Satī-kathā frame)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It highlights Śiva’s mastery of mind: even while adopting an outwardly “worldly” mode of action, he remains inwardly absorbed in divine intention. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, it points to Pati’s sovereign freedom—outer action need not disturb inner stillness.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The epithet Vṛṣadhvaja presents Saguna Śiva—recognizable by signs and attributes—who can be worshiped through the Liṅga while devotees cultivate inner remembrance. The verse models aligning external worship/karma with internal contemplation (bhāva).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Steady the mind (samādhāya manaḥ) and practice inward japa and dhyāna—especially pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—so that outer duties continue without breaking inner Shiva-smaraṇa; Tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa may be worn to support this constant recollection.