Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 48
शुक्रस्य जठरस्थत्वं तथा मृत्युशमनी-विद्या (Śukra in Śiva’s belly and the death-subduing vidyā)
तं रक्ष्यमाणं दितिजैस्समस्तैः पाशासिवृक्षोपलशैलहस्तैः । विक्षोभ्य दैत्यान्बलवाञ्जहार काव्यं स नन्दी शरभो यथेभम्
taṃ rakṣyamāṇaṃ ditijaissamastaiḥ pāśāsivṛkṣopalaśailahastaiḥ | vikṣobhya daityānbalavāñjahāra kāvyaṃ sa nandī śarabho yathebham
Bagaman binabantayan sa lahat ng panig ng mga daitya na anak ni Diti—may hawak na tali, espada, mga punò, batong tipak, at maging mga batong-bundok—ang makapangyarihang Nandī ay yumanig sa kanila sa labanan at sapilitang inagaw si Kāvya (Śukrācārya), gaya ng mabangis na śarabha na dumadaig sa elepante.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse highlights Nandī as the embodiment of unwavering Śiva-bhakti: even when adharma is heavily defended, devotion empowered by Pati (Śiva) can shake delusion and remove its strategists. It conveys that spiritual authority rooted in Śiva’s grace surpasses brute force.
Nandī is inseparable from Saguna Śiva worship—he stands before the Liṅga as the ideal servant and gatekeeper of Śiva’s presence. Remembering Nandī’s valor reinforces the devotee’s attitude of sevā (service) and śaraṇāgati (surrender) while approaching the Liṅga.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate Nandī-bhāva—steadfast service and focused mind—by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a brief prayer to Nandī before Liṅga-darśana, asking for protection from inner ‘daityas’ like anger, pride, and distraction.