Shloka 144

Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः

Devanagari script

प्रणम्य नन्दिनं मूर्ध्ना सह तेन त्वरन् ययौ नन्दी भाति महातेजा वृषपृष्ठे वृषध्वजः

Transliteration

praṇamya nandinaṃ mūrdhnā saha tena tvaran yayau nandī bhāti mahātejā vṛṣapṛṣṭhe vṛṣadhvajaḥ

Translation

他以首叩礼难陀因，随之疾行。彼处难陀因放大光明；而持牛幡之主（湿婆）在牛背上灿然显现——为“主宰”(Pati)，引导受缚之众生（paśu）趋向解脱。

Word by Word

• praṇamya: having bowed

• nandinam: to Nandin

• mūrdhnā: with (one’s) head

• saha: together with

• tena: with him

• tvaran: hurrying

• yayau: went

• nandī: Nandin

• bhāti: shines/appears radiant

• mahā-tejā: of great splendor

• vṛṣa-pṛṣṭhe: on the bull’s back

• vṛṣa-dhvajaḥ: the One whose banner is the bull (Śiva)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandin

FAQs

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

It models the devotional protocol of approaching Śiva through reverence to Nandin—Śiva’s foremost gaṇa and guardian of Śaiva sanctity—indicating that humility and proper approach (ācāra) are integral to fruitful Liṅga-upāsanā.

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

Śiva is indicated as Vṛṣadhvaja and radiant with tejas—Pati, the supreme Lord who stands beyond bondage (pāśa) and guides paśus toward liberation, while remaining accessible through His attendants and symbols.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice is praṇāma (bowing) and disciplined, purposeful movement toward the Lord—an external sign of inner surrender central to Pāśupata-oriented devotion and Śaiva pūjā-vidhi.