Shloka 24
अवधूतेश्वरलीला (Avadhūteśvara-līlā) — Śiva Tests Indra’s Pride on the Way to Kailāsa
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । बृहस्पतिरिति स्तुत्वा स तदा शंकरम्प्रभुम् । पादयोः पातयामास तस्येशस्य पुरन्दरम्
nandīśvara uvāca | bṛhaspatiriti stutvā sa tadā śaṃkaramprabhum | pādayoḥ pātayāmāsa tasyeśasya purandaram
Nandīśvara said: Having praised the Lord Śaṅkara, the sovereign Master, with the words “(He is) Bṛhaspati,” Purandara (Indra) then cast himself down at the feet of that Lord, the Supreme Ruler.
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Significance: Models the correct devotional posture (praṇipāta at the Lord’s feet) as the precondition for receiving instruction and grace—central to Siddhānta’s guru-śiṣya and īśvara-bhakta paradigms.
Mantra: (इति स्तुत्वा)
Type: stotra
FAQs
It highlights bhakti through humility: even Indra, the lord of the devas, attains auspiciousness by surrendering at Śiva’s feet, acknowledging Pati (the Supreme Lord) as the true sovereign over all powers.
The verse emphasizes personal devotion to Saguna Śiva—approaching the Lord as the living Master worthy of praise and prostration—an attitude that also underlies Linga-worship, where the devotee offers reverence and self-surrender to Śiva’s gracious form.
Practice śaraṇāgati (surrender) through namaskāra/prostration before Śiva or the Śiva-liṅga, accompanied by heartfelt stuti and japa such as the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”