Shloka 1
तपः–मन्त्रजप–ध्यानविधिः
Protocol of Tapas, Mantra-Japa, and Śiva-Dhyāna
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । स्नानं स विधिवत्कृत्वा न्यासादि विधिवत्तथा । ध्यानं शिवस्य सद्भक्त्या व्यासोक्तं यत्तथाऽकरोत्
nandīśvara uvāca | snānaṃ sa vidhivatkṛtvā nyāsādi vidhivattathā | dhyānaṃ śivasya sadbhaktyā vyāsoktaṃ yattathā'karot
难提自在者说道：他依仪轨完成沐浴，又如法行持从安置真言（nyāsa）等诸仪，随后以真诚的奉爱观想主湿婆——完全依照毗耶娑的教诲——并如是实行。
Nandīśvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-realization is approached through both outer purity (snāna and prescribed rites) and inner purity (sincere bhakti), culminating in disciplined meditation on Śiva as taught by the tradition (Vyāsa).
The verse outlines the standard pūjā-preparation for Saguna Śiva worship—purificatory bath, nyāsa (sanctifying the body as Śiva’s abode), and then dhyāna—steps commonly performed before Linga-pūjā and mantra-japa.
Perform snāna (ritual bath), complete nyāsa and allied preparatory observances, and then do Śiva-dhyāna with steadfast devotion, following the authorized instruction of the lineage (Vyāsa’s teaching).