Shloka 3
नन्दाव्रत-समाप्तिः तथा शङ्करस्य प्रत्यक्ष-दर्शनम्
Completion of the Nandā-vrata and Śiva’s Direct Appearance
इति नंदाव्रते पूर्णे नवम्यां दिनभागतः । तस्यास्तु ध्यानमग्नायाः प्रत्यक्षमभवद्धरः
iti naṃdāvrate pūrṇe navamyāṃ dinabhāgataḥ | tasyāstu dhyānamagnāyāḥ pratyakṣamabhavaddharaḥ
Thus, when the Nandā-vrata was completed, on the ninth lunar day as the day progressed, the Bearer of all (Lord Śiva) became directly manifest before her, for she was absorbed in meditation.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: A vrata (Nandā-vrata) culminating in pratyakṣa-darśana: the archetypal ‘vrata → darśana’ sthala motif, though no specific jyotirliṅga is named here.
Significance: Teaches that sustained vrata and dhyāna ripen into Śiva’s direct manifestation—anugraha as experiential darśana.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that disciplined vrata combined with one-pointed dhyāna culminates in Śiva’s anugraha (grace), where the Pati (Lord) becomes pratyakṣa to the devotee—an affirmation of bhakti-yoga ripening into direct spiritual experience.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva’s accessibility: through vow, purity, and meditation, the worshipper’s inner focus matures into darśana. In Śaiva practice this is mirrored in Liṅga-upāsanā, where sustained worship leads from external form to inward realization of Śiva’s presence.
It points to observing a vrata (like Nandā-vrata) with steady dhyāna; practically, one may add japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and contemplative meditation on Śiva as the world-supporting Dhara, seeking inner stillness and devotion.