Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 38
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । द्रष्टुमिच्छति देवि त्वां देवदेवो महेश्वरः । स्ववल्लभां रूपकृतां मयोक्तं तन्निदेशतः
nandīśvara uvāca | draṣṭumicchati devi tvāṃ devadevo maheśvaraḥ | svavallabhāṃ rūpakṛtāṃ mayoktaṃ tannideśataḥ
Disse Nandīśvara: «Ó Deusa, Mahādeva, Mahēśvara, o Deus dos deuses, deseja ver-te. Conforme o Seu mandamento, modelei para ti essa forma, como convém à Sua amada.»
Nandīśvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights the intimate, grace-filled relationship between Pati (Śiva) and Śakti (the Goddess): the Lord’s will is conveyed through His foremost attendant (Nandi), showing that divine union and divine vision arise by Mahādeva’s command and compassion, not merely by personal effort.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Mahādeva who wills, speaks through Nandi, and seeks to ‘see’ the Goddess. In Shiva worship, this complements Liṅga-upāsanā by affirming that the formless reality is also accessible as the personal Lord who guides devotees through His attendants and ordinances.
The takeaway is obedience to Śiva’s injunctions (śiva-ājñā) with bhakti: approach worship with disciplined readiness—such as mental purification, mantra-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and respectful service to Śiva’s gaṇas (symbolically, honoring Nandi and the guru-like channel of instruction).