Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 21
अवभृथस्नान-तीर्थयात्रा-तेजोदर्शनम् | Avabhṛtha Bath, Tīrtha-Pilgrimage, and the Vision of Divine Radiance
उपवीणयितुं देवं नकुलीश्वरमीश्वरम् । भवनान्निर्ययौ धातुर्जलदादंशुमानिव
upavīṇayituṃ devaṃ nakulīśvaramīśvaram | bhavanānniryayau dhāturjaladādaṃśumāniva
เพื่อบรรเลงวีณาเฝ้าสักการะแด่พระนกุลีศวร ผู้เป็นจอมอิศวร ธาตา (พระพรหม) เสด็จออกจากวิมานดุจดวงอาทิตย์โผล่พ้นเมฆ
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The verse invokes Nakulīśvara—Śiva as Nakulīśa, the paradigmatic teacher of the Pāśupata stream—served even by Brahmā through musical attendance, highlighting Śiva’s supremacy over the creator-god.
Significance: Remembrance of Nakulīśa/Nakulīśvara is traditionally linked with receiving right doctrine (sadvidyā) and discipline (pāśupata-vrata) leading toward liberation.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
It shows that even Brahmā approaches Śiva (Nakulīśvara) with humble devotional service, implying Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord—who grants grace; worship expressed through praise and offering (here, music) becomes a means toward purification and liberation.
Nakulīśvara is addressed as Īśvara, highlighting Saguna worship—approaching the Lord in a revered form and name; such personal devotion aligns with Shiva Purana practice where the devotee serves Śiva/Liṅga through offerings, hymns, and acts of attendance.
Devotional upacāra through sound—singing, recitation, or instrumental praise—can be integrated with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and traditional Liṅga worship (abhisheka, bilva offering) as a focused, sattvic practice, especially on Mahāśivarātri.