Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 4
पूजाविधान-व्याख्या (Pūjāvidhāna-vyākhyā) — Exposition of the Procedure of Worship
दक्षिणे चोत्तरे चैव नंदीशं सुयशं तथा । आराध्य मनसा सम्यगासनं कल्पयेद्बुधः
dakṣiṇe cottare caiva naṃdīśaṃ suyaśaṃ tathā | ārādhya manasā samyagāsanaṃ kalpayedbudhaḥ
ทั้งด้านขวาและด้านซ้าย ผู้ปฏิบัติผู้มีปัญญาพึงบูชานันทีศวรผู้มีเกียรติยศด้วยใจอย่างถูกต้อง; ครั้นน้อมสักการะในภายในแล้ว จึงจัดเตรียมอาสนะสำหรับบูชาให้สมควร
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Ritual spatialization: Nandīśa is honored on the right and left (directional placement around the worship-space), then the worshipper establishes/assumes the āsana—signaling guardianship and stability before approaching Śiva.
Significance: In temples, Nandī’s presence is central to Śiva-darśana; honoring Nandī cultivates humility and steadiness, preparing the pilgrim’s mind for focused worship.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śaiva worship begins with inner alignment: by mentally honoring Nandīśa—symbol of devotion, discipline, and dharma—the seeker prepares the mind as a fit seat (āsana) for approaching Pati (Śiva).
Nandī is traditionally stationed before Śiva’s presence, especially in Linga worship; mentally venerating Nandī first signifies respectful entry into Saguna worship and steadies attention before offering to the Linga.
Manasa-pūjā (mental worship) followed by proper āsana-vidhi: arranging and taking a steady seat for japa/dhyāna—commonly alongside Panchākṣarī practice ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") in Śaiva observance.