Shloka 10

Indra’s Account: Shilada’s Tapas and Shiva’s Manifestation as Nandi

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच पूर्वमाराधितः प्राह तपसा परमेश्वरः शिलादं ब्रह्मणा रुद्रः प्रीत्या परमया पुनः

Transliteration

sūta uvāca pūrvamārādhitaḥ prāha tapasā parameśvaraḥ śilādaṃ brahmaṇā rudraḥ prītyā paramayā punaḥ

Translation

സൂതൻ പറഞ്ഞു—മുമ്പ് തപസ്സാൽ ആരാധിക്കപ്പെട്ട പരമേശ്വരൻ രുദ്രൻ, ബ്രഹ്മാവാൽ പ്രശംസിക്കപ്പെട്ട ശിലാദനോട് വീണ്ടും പരമപ്രീതിയോടെ സംസാരിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• सूत उवाच: Sūta said

• पूर्वम्: formerly/previously

• आराधितः: duly worshipped/propitiated

• प्राह: spoke

• तपसा: by tapas/austerity

• परमेश्वरः: the Supreme Lord (Pati)

• शिलादम्: to Śilāda

• ब्रह्मणा: by Brahmā

• रुद्रः: Rudra (Śiva)

• प्रीत्या: with joy/grace

• परमया: supreme/highest

• पुनः: again

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra
• Brahma
• Shilada

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It establishes the core Shaiva principle that the Lord (Pati) becomes present and responsive when worship is performed with tapas and single-pointed devotion—an essential foundation for Linga-upāsanā as a path to anugraha (grace).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva is portrayed as Parameśvara (the supreme Pati) who is not compelled but freely bestows grace, speaking again out of supreme prīti—indicating His compassionate sovereignty and readiness to uplift the pashu when pasha is weakened by tapas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) is highlighted as the primary Shaiva sādhana that prepares the devotee for Rudra’s direct instruction and blessing—aligned with Pāśupata-oriented discipline where inner purification precedes divine revelation.