Shloka 33
Indra’s Account: Shilada’s Tapas and Shiva’s Manifestation as Nandi
पुत्र पाहि महाबाहो देवदेव जगद्गुरो पुत्रत्वमेव नन्दीश मत्वा यत्कीर्तितं मया
putra pāhi mahābāho devadeva jagadguro putratvameva nandīśa matvā yatkīrtitaṃ mayā
“Hỡi con, xin hộ trì cho ta—hỡi Đấng dũng lực, hỡi Thần của các thần, hỡi Bậc Đạo Sư của vũ trụ. Ôi Nandīśa, vì xem Ngài chính là con của ta, nên ta đã nói ra những lời tán dương và tuyên xưng ấy.”
Contextual speaker within the internal narrative (a devotee/elder addressing Nandīśa as ‘son’); framed by Suta’s narration to the sages
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati (surrender): the devotee seeks protection by approaching Nandīśa—Shiva’s foremost attendant and guardian of Shiva-dharma—affirming that access to Linga-worship is safeguarded by devotion and right relationship to Shiva’s retinue.
By invoking “Devadeva” and “Jagadguru,” the verse points to Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord and teacher—whose grace protects the pashu (bound soul) from pasha (bondage), even when approached through intimate, filial devotion.
The takeaway is bhakti-based śaraṇāgati as a core Pāśupata disposition: humble appeal for protection and guidance under Shiva’s order (through Nandīśa), which supports disciplined puja and yogic restraint.