Adhyaya 44: Nandikesvara’s Manifestation and Abhisheka; The Rule of Namaskara in Shiva-Nama
नन्दीश्वरो ऽयं पुत्रो नः सर्वेषामीश्वरेश्वरः विप्रो ऽयं नायकश्चैव सेनानीर् वः समृद्धिमान्
nandīśvaro 'yaṃ putro naḥ sarveṣāmīśvareśvaraḥ vipro 'yaṃ nāyakaścaiva senānīr vaḥ samṛddhimān
Nandīśvara ini ialah putera kami sendiri—bahkan Dialah Tuhan di atas segala tuhan. Dia laksana seorang brahmana yang arif, juga seorang pemimpin, dan panglima bala tentera kamu yang penuh kemakmuran.
Suta Goswami (narrating an internal proclamation within the Shiva-gana context)
It establishes Nandīśvara as Shiva’s empowered authority within the gana-order; in Linga worship, such authority safeguards correct puja, mantra-discipline, and devotion to Pati (Shiva) over all lesser powers.
By calling Nandīśvara “Lord of lords,” the verse reflects Shiva-tattva as supreme sovereignty (Pati) that transcends all conditioned lordships; Nandin functions as that sovereignty’s manifest command and guidance in the world.
It implies disciplined adherence to Shiva’s ordained leadership—an ethic central to Pāśupata conduct—where the practitioner (paśu) follows the Lord’s command through authorized guidance, supporting steady puja and yogic restraint.