Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

वत्स वत्स महाभाग पाहि मां परमेश्वर त्वयाहं नन्दितो यस्मान् नन्दी नाम्ना सुरेश्वर

Transliteration

vatsa vatsa mahābhāga pāhi māṃ parameśvara tvayāhaṃ nandito yasmān nandī nāmnā sureśvara

Translation

“വത്സാ, വത്സാ! മഹാഭാഗ പരമേശ്വരാ, എന്നെ രക്ഷിക്കണമേ. സുറേശ്വരാ, നിനാൽ ഞാൻ ആനന്ദിതനായി; അതുകൊണ്ടാണ് എന്റെ നാമം ‘നന്ദി’ എന്നായത്.”

Word by Word

• वत्स: O child/dear one

• वत्स वत्स: repeated affectionate address

• महाभाग: greatly fortunate, illustrious

• पाहि: protect

• मां: me

• परमेश्वर: Supreme Lord (Śiva as Pati)

• त्वया: by You

• अहं: I

• नन्दितः: delighted, blessed, made joyful

• यस्मात्: because/since

• नन्दी: Nandī (the Joyful One, Śiva’s attendant)

• नाम्ना: by name

• सुरेश्वर: Lord of the gods

Speaker

Nandi (addressing Shiva/Parameshvara)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as Parameśvara and Pati—the protecting Lord whose anugraha (grace) establishes the devotee’s identity and service; Nandī becomes the archetypal attendant of the Linga, representing steadfast guardianship and devotion.

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

Śiva is addressed as Parameśvara and Sureśvara—the supreme, sovereign Lord who bestows joy and protection; this highlights Shiva-tattva as the compassionate Pati who uplifts the pashu (individual soul) through grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice implied is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) expressed as a prayer for protection (pāhi mām), a foundational attitude in Śaiva sādhanā and Pāśupata-aligned devotion where grace initiates spiritual stability and service.