Indra’s Account: Shilada’s Tapas and Shiva’s Manifestation as Nandi
सूत उवाच पूर्वमाराधितः प्राह तपसा परमेश्वरः शिलादं ब्रह्मणा रुद्रः प्रीत्या परमया पुनः
sūta uvāca pūrvamārādhitaḥ prāha tapasā parameśvaraḥ śilādaṃ brahmaṇā rudraḥ prītyā paramayā punaḥ
Sūta berkata: Setelah dipuja sebelumnya melalui tapas, Rudra, Tuhan Yang Maha Tinggi, sekali lagi—dengan kegembiraan tertinggi—berfirman kepada Śilāda, yang telah dipuji oleh Brahmā.
Suta
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).
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.
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.