Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41
देवस्तुतिः (Devastuti) — Hymn/Praise of the Devas
नन्दीश्वरोऽसि पशुषु वृषभः परमेश्वर । वेदेषूपनिषद्रूपी यज्वनां शीतभानुमान्
nandīśvaro'si paśuṣu vṛṣabhaḥ parameśvara | vedeṣūpaniṣadrūpī yajvanāṃ śītabhānumān
噢，至上主（Parameśvara）！在一切众生中，您是难提自在天（Nandīśvara）——至高的主；在诸兽之中，您是雄牛。在吠陀中，您安住为奥义书的精髓；对行祭者而言，您是清凉放光之月，赐予吉祥与滋养。
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages at Naimisharanya, conveying a hymn of praise to Shiva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a specific jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames Śiva as Paśupati/Nandīśvara—Lord of paśu (bound beings)—and as the Upaniṣadic essence within the Veda, emphasizing Śiva’s guardianship and sustaining presence.
Significance: Contemplation of Śiva as Paśupati is held to loosen pāśa by cultivating śaraṇāgati (refuge) and disciplined dharma among householders and ritualists.
Type: stotra
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
It proclaims Shiva as the supreme Pati: present as the lordly principle in all beings, the emblematic bull among animals, and the Upanishadic essence within the Vedas—showing that true liberation knowledge culminates in Shiva.
By naming Shiva as Nandishvara and the bull-symbol, it supports Saguna devotion through sacred forms and emblems (like Nandi and the Linga), while also affirming that the same Shiva is the Upanishadic inner reality beyond mere ritual.
Use stotra-japa and contemplation: worship Shiva with devotion while meditating that he is the inner meaning of the Vedas; practitioners may pair this with Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady remembrance during worship.