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
สูตกล่าวว่า พระปรเมศวร รุทระ ผู้เคยได้รับการบูชาด้วยตบะมาก่อน ครั้นทรงปีติยิ่งอีกครั้ง จึงตรัสแก่ศิลาดะผู้ได้รับการสรรเสริญจากพระพรหมา
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.