Shloka 4

Indra’s Account: Shilada’s Tapas and Shiva’s Manifestation as Nandi

Devanagari script

निर्मांसरुधिरत्वग् वै निर्लेपः कुड्यवत् स्थितः अस्थिशेषो ऽभवत्पश्चात् तममन्यत शङ्करः

Transliteration

nirmāṃsarudhiratvag vai nirlepaḥ kuḍyavat sthitaḥ asthiśeṣo 'bhavatpaścāt tamamanyata śaṅkaraḥ

Translation

既无肉、无血、无皮，他如墙般不染不动而立。后来，当只余白骨残迹时，商羯罗（湿婆）认出他乃属己之真实形相——超越一切覆障。

Word by Word

• nirmāṃsa: without flesh

• rudhira: blood

• tvak: skin

• vai: indeed

• nirlepaḥ: unstained, untainted

• kuḍya-vat: like a wall

• sthitaḥ: stood, remained

• asthi: bones

• śeṣaḥ: remainder, residue

• abhavat: became

• paścāt: afterwards

• tam: him/that

• amanyata: understood, recognized, considered

• śaṅkaraḥ: Śaṅkara (Lord Shiva)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana; describing Shiva’s recognition within the episode)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shankara

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It points to Shiva as nirlepa—unstained by material coverings—supporting Linga worship as adoration of the formless Pati beyond the perishable body and its layers.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is shown as changeless and untouched (nirlepa), recognized when all transient coverings fall away—indicating the Supreme Pati who remains when pasha-bound appearances dissolve.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A vairagya-driven contemplative practice aligned with Pashupata Yoga: meditating on the impermanence of bodily layers and abiding in the unstained witness, the Shiva-nature beyond identification.