Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 144
Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः
प्रणम्य नन्दिनं मूर्ध्ना सह तेन त्वरन् ययौ नन्दी भाति महातेजा वृषपृष्ठे वृषध्वजः
praṇamya nandinaṃ mūrdhnā saha tena tvaran yayau nandī bhāti mahātejā vṛṣapṛṣṭhe vṛṣadhvajaḥ
S’inclinant, la tête baissée, devant Nandin, il se hâta d’avancer avec lui. Là, Nandin brillait d’une splendeur immense, tandis que le Seigneur à l’étendard du Taureau (Śiva) resplendissait sur le dos du taureau : Pati, le souverain qui mène les paśus liés vers la délivrance.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)
FAQs
It models the devotional protocol of approaching Śiva through reverence to Nandin—Śiva’s foremost gaṇa and guardian of Śaiva sanctity—indicating that humility and proper approach (ācāra) are integral to fruitful Liṅga-upāsanā.
Śiva is indicated as Vṛṣadhvaja and radiant with tejas—Pati, the supreme Lord who stands beyond bondage (pāśa) and guides paśus toward liberation, while remaining accessible through His attendants and symbols.
The key practice is praṇāma (bowing) and disciplined, purposeful movement toward the Lord—an external sign of inner surrender central to Pāśupata-oriented devotion and Śaiva pūjā-vidhi.