दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः
Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara
तस्मिन्वृषभमारूढे भद्रे तु भसितप्रभः । बभार मौक्तिकं छत्रं गृहीतसितचामरः
tasminvṛṣabhamārūḍhe bhadre tu bhasitaprabhaḥ | babhāra mauktikaṃ chatraṃ gṛhītasitacāmaraḥ
When the auspicious Lord—radiant with the holy ash (vibhūti)—mounted the bull, he bore a pearl-white royal parasol and held in his hand a white yak-tail fan (cāmara).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
The verse presents Shiva in a visible, auspicious (saguna) form: radiant with bhasma, mounted on Nandi, and honored with royal insignia. In Shaiva Siddhanta, bhasma signifies purity and the burning away of bondage (pāśa), while Nandi represents steadfast dharma and devoted service to Pati (Shiva).
While Linga worship points to Shiva’s transcendent reality, this verse supports saguna upāsanā by portraying Shiva’s divine presence in form—worthy of reverence with ceremonial honors. Such imagery complements Linga worship by training the mind in devotion (bhakti) toward the same Supreme Lord.
The mention of bhasma points to wearing vibhūti/Tripuṇḍra with remembrance of Shiva, contemplating impermanence and inner purification. Devotees may also meditate on Shiva seated upon Nandi as a focus for steady devotion and dharmic discipline.