Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 39
द्वन्द्वयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Duel-Combats
तथैव नंदी ह्यपतद्भूतले गदया हतः । महावीरोऽपि रिपुहा किंचिद्व्याकुलमानसः
tathaiva naṃdī hyapatadbhūtale gadayā hataḥ | mahāvīro'pi ripuhā kiṃcidvyākulamānasaḥ
اسی طرح نندی بھی گدا کے وار سے ہلاک ہو کر زمین پر گر پڑا۔ وہ اگرچہ بڑا بہادر اور دشمنوں کا قاتل تھا، پھر بھی ایک لمحے کو اس کا دل کچھ مضطرب ہو گیا۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It shows that even Shiva’s foremost attendant, Nandī, may face momentary inner agitation under intense karmic pressure, yet true bhakti is measured by returning to steadiness and continuing one’s dharma in remembrance of Shiva.
Nandī represents the ideal devotee oriented to Saguna Shiva—serving the Lord’s manifest form and mission. The verse underscores that devotion is not the absence of struggle, but fidelity to Shiva’s presence even when the mind is shaken.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to re-center the mind when disturbed, along with simple Shaiva disciplines like Tripuṇḍra-bhasma remembrance and steady breath to restore inner composure.