नन्दिकेश्वरोत्पत्तिः — Nandikesvara’s Origin, Shiva’s Boons, and the Rise of Sacred Rivers
पुत्रस्ते ऽयमिति प्रोच्य पादयोः संन्यपातयत् सा मामाघ्राय शिरसि पाणिभ्यां परिमार्जती
putraste 'yamiti procya pādayoḥ saṃnyapātayat sā māmāghrāya śirasi pāṇibhyāṃ parimārjatī
قائلاً: «هذا ابنُكِ»، جعلني أسقط عند قدميها. فشمّت رأسي، وبكلتا يديها مسحتني وداعبتني برفق وحنان.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages; internal scene narration)
It highlights humility and reverence (falling at the feet) as a foundational bhava that purifies the pashu (individual soul) before approaching Pati (Shiva) through Linga-puja.
Indirectly, it reflects Shiva-tattva through the lens of grace and tenderness: as worldly affection mirrors the deeper anugraha (bestowing of grace) by Pati that comforts and lifts the bound soul from pasha.
Prostration (pada-vandana/namaskara) is emphasized—an ethical-ritual discipline that supports Pashupata-oriented inner surrender and readiness for mantra, puja, and restraint.