Shloka 153

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

Devanagari script

दिवः पृष्ठे यथा चन्द्रो नक्षत्रैरिव सुव्रताः तं दृष्ट्वा नन्दिनं देवाः सेन्द्रोपेन्द्रास् तथाविधम्

Transliteration

divaḥ pṛṣṭhe yathā candro nakṣatrairiva suvratāḥ taṃ dṛṣṭvā nandinaṃ devāḥ sendropendrās tathāvidham

Translation

如明月高悬天穹，群星环绕般，难丁（Nandin）亦如是显现。诸天与因陀罗、优波因陀罗同见其相，皆观照到由坚固誓愿与对主宰帕提（湿婆）的虔敬所生之光辉。

Word by Word

• divaḥ: of heaven

• pṛṣṭhe: on the surface/vault

• yathā: just as

• candro (candraḥ): the Moon

• nakṣatraiḥ: with the stars

• iva: as if/like

• suvratāḥ: those of excellent vows (steadfast observers of dharma)

• tam: him

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• nandinam: Nandin (Śiva’s chief gaṇa)

• devāḥ: the gods

• sa-indra-upendrāḥ: along with Indra and Upendra (Vāmana/Viṣṇu)

• tathā-vidham: of that very appearance/nature

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Nandin
• Indra
• Upendra
• Devas
• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes tejas born of suvrata (disciplined vows). In Linga worship, such vrata and purity make the devotee receptive to Śiva’s presence—seen here as Nandin’s moon-like radiance around which the Devas gather.

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

By presenting Nandin’s splendour as celestial and irresistibly drawing the Devas, the verse points to Śiva-tattva as Pati—self-luminous consciousness whose grace is mirrored in His attendants and accessible through dharma and devotion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Suvrata—observance of holy vows and disciplined conduct—implicitly supports Pāśupata-oriented purification, loosening pāśa (bondage) so the pashu (individual soul) can align with Pati (Śiva).