Shloka 9

नन्दिकेश्वरोत्पत्तिः — Nandikesvara’s Origin, Shiva’s Boons, and the Rise of Sacred Rivers

Devanagari script

ऊचतुश् च महात्मानौ मां निरीक्ष्य मुहुर्मुहुः तात नन्द्ययमल्पायुः सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारगः

Transliteration

ūcatuś ca mahātmānau māṃ nirīkṣya muhurmuhuḥ tāta nandyayamalpāyuḥ sarvaśāstrārthapāragaḥ

Translation

ثم إن العظيمين، وقد أمعنا النظر إليّ مرارًا، قالا: «يا بُنيّ—هذا هو نَنْدي. وإن كان عمره قصيرًا، فقد أحاط بمعاني الشاسترا كلّها ومقاصدها.»

Word by Word

• ūcatuḥ: they two said

• ca: and

• mahātmānau: the two great-souled ones

• mām: me

• nirīkṣya: having looked at/observed

• muhur-muhuḥ: repeatedly, again and again

• tāta: dear one/child

• nandī: Nandī (Śiva’s attendant and foremost devotee)

• ayam: this (one)

• alpa-āyuḥ: short-lived/with a brief lifespan

• sarva-śāstra-artha: the meanings of all scriptures

• pāragaḥ: one who has crossed over/fully mastered

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (outer narration; reporting the words of ‘the two great-souled ones’ within the embedded story)

Characters & Entities

• Nandi

FAQs

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

It establishes Nandī as an authoritative Śaiva exemplar—one who embodies devotion and right understanding—implying that true Liṅga-worship is grounded in śāstra-artha (scriptural meaning) and disciplined reverence for Śiva (Pati).

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

By praising Nandī’s mastery of all śāstras, the verse points to Śiva-tattva as the summit of scriptural purport—where knowledge culminates in recognizing Pati (Śiva) as the liberating Lord beyond the bonds (pāśa) that bind the soul (paśu).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights qualification (adhikāra) for Śaiva practice: disciplined learning and contemplative insight, foundational to Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā and to performing Liṅga-pūjā with correct understanding rather than mere external rite.