Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

देवी अदोप्त्स् नन्दिन् अथ देवो महादेवः सर्वभूतपतिर्भवः देवीमुवाच शर्वाणीम् उमां गिरिसुतामजाम्

Transliteration

Devī adopts Nandin atha devo mahādevaḥ sarvabhūtapatirbhavaḥ devīmuvāca śarvāṇīm umāṃ girisutāmajām

Translation

Dann nahm die Göttin Nandin an; und Mahādeva—Bhava, der Pati aller Wesen—wandte sich an die Göttin: Śarvāṇī, Umā, die Berggeborene, Ajā, die Ungeborene.

Word by Word

• देवी: the Goddess (Devī/Śakti)

• आदोप्त्स् (आदोप्त्): accepted/adopted

• नन्दिन्: Nandin (Śiva’s attendant, leader of the Gaṇas)

• अथ: then

• देवो: the Deva, the Lord

• महादेवः: Mahādeva (the Great God, Śiva)

• सर्वभूतपति: Lord of all beings (Pati over all bhūtas/jīvas)

• भवः: Bhava (a name of Śiva, the Ground of becoming)

• देवीम्: the Goddess (object)

• उवाच: said/addressed

• शर्वाणीम्: Śarvāṇī (consort of Śarva/Śiva)

• उमाम्: Umā (Pārvatī)

• गिरिसुताम्: daughter of the mountain (Himavat)

• अजाम्: Ajā, the unborn (primordial Śakti)

Speaker

Shiva (Mahadeva/Bhava)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Nandin

FAQs

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

It establishes Śiva as Sarvabhūtapati (Pati) and Devī as his inseparable Śakti—an essential Shaiva Siddhanta framework behind Linga worship, where the Linga signifies the sovereign Lord beyond all beings and bonds.

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

Śiva is named Mahādeva and Bhava and defined as Sarvabhūtapati—indicating the supreme Pati who governs all pashus (souls) and transcends pasha (bondage), while still compassionately engaging in dialogue with Śakti.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No explicit ritual is prescribed in this line; the implied Shaiva practice is devotion to Śiva together with Śakti, honoring Nandin and the Gaṇas as part of temple/Linga worship protocol and Pāśupata-oriented reverence.