Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

नन्दा भद्रा च सुरभी सुशीला सुमनास् तथा वृषेन्द्रश् च महातेजा धर्मो धर्मात्मजस् तथा

Transliteration

nandā bhadrā ca surabhī suśīlā sumanās tathā vṛṣendraś ca mahātejā dharmo dharmātmajas tathā

Translation

നന്ദാ, ഭദ്രാ, സുരഭി, സുശീലാ, സുമനാ; കൂടാതെ മഹാതേജസ്സുള്ള വൃഷേന്ദ്രൻ—അതുപോലെ ധർമ്മൻ, ധർമ്മസ്വരൂപനായ പുത്രൻ—ഇവരും പരാമർശിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു.

Word by Word

• नन्दा (nandā): Nandā (a named figure)

• भद्रा (bhadrā): Bhadrā (a named figure, ‘auspicious’)

• सुरभी (surabhī): Surabhī (the fragrant/celestial cow)

• सुशीला (suśīlā): Suśīlā (‘of good conduct’, a proper name)

• सुमनास् (sumanās): Sumanā/Sumanas (‘good-minded’, a proper name)

• तथा (tathā): and also

• वृषेन्द्रः (vṛṣendraḥ): Vṛṣendra (‘lord among bulls’, a proper name)

• महातेजाः (mahātejāḥ): of great splendor/energy

• धर्मः (dharmaḥ): Dharma (righteous order, also a deity/person)

• धर्मात्मजः (dharmātmajaḥ): born of/son of Dharma

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Dharma
• Surabhi
• Vṛṣendra

FAQs

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

It anchors Shiva-oriented practice in a Dharmic cosmic order: auspicious lineages and principles (Dharma) are enumerated to show that Linga-puja is not isolated ritual, but harmonized with ṛta/dharma that sustains creation.

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

Indirectly: by listing Dharma-born figures, it implies that Shiva as Pati is the transcendent ground in which dharma (order) functions; the Pashu (soul) progresses toward Shiva through alignment with dharma, loosening pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this line; the takeaway is preparatory—Pashupata-aligned discipline begins with dharmic conduct (sadācāra) as the ethical base for Shiva-puja and yoga.