Shloka 151

Devanagari script

नन्दी भवश् चान्द्रयातु स्नातया गन्धवारिणा पुष्पैर्नानाविधैस्तत्र भाति पृष्ठं वृषस्य तत्

Transliteration

nandī bhavaś cāndrayātu snātayā gandhavāriṇā puṣpairnānāvidhaistatra bhāti pṛṣṭhaṃ vṛṣasya tat

Translation

அங்கே நந்தியும் பவனும் (சிவனும்)—சாந்த்ரயாதுவுடன்—நறுமண நீரால் அந்தக் காளையை நீராட்டினர். பலவகை மலர்களால் அந்தப் புனித வृषபத்தின் முதுகு ஒளிவிட்டது.

Word by Word

• नन्दी (nandī): Nandi, Shiva’s chief gaṇa and emblem of devotion

• भवः (bhavaḥ): Bhava, a name/aspect of Lord Shiva

• चान्द्रयातुः (cāndrayātuḥ): Cāndrayātu (a named attendant/gaṇa)

• स्नातया (snātayā): having been bathed/washed

• गन्धवारिणा (gandhavāriṇā): with perfumed/fragrant water

• पुष्पैः (puṣpaiḥ): with flowers

• नानाविधैः (nānāvidhaiḥ): of many varieties

• तत्र (tatra): there/in that place

• भाति (bhāti): shines, appears radiant

• पृष्ठम् (pṛṣṭham): the back

• वृषस्य (vṛṣasya): of the bull (Vṛṣa/Nandin’s vahana-symbol)

• तत् (tat): that (very one).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Nandi
• Bhava (Shiva)
• Cāndrayātu
• Vṛṣa (Shiva’s Bull)

FAQs

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

It highlights core upacāras of Shaiva pūjā—snāna (ritual bathing) with scented water and puṣpa-arpana (flower offerings)—showing how sanctity is expressed through reverent service to Shiva’s sacred sphere, here symbolized by Vṛṣa/Nandī.

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

By naming Shiva as “Bhava” (the Lord who becomes and transforms), the verse points to Pati—the supreme principle—whose presence makes even his vahana and attendants radiant; proximity to Shiva-tattva confers śobha (spiritual splendor) through grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual śauca and bhakti expressed as snāna with gandha-jala and offering diverse flowers—outer acts that support inner discipline in a Pāśupata-oriented life of devotion, humility, and service (sevā) to Pati.