Shloka 12
नन्दिकेश्वरशिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्
The Māhātmya of the Nandikeśvara Śiva-liṅga
अथ प्रोवाच दुष्टात्मा दुर्वचो भयकारकम् । त्रासयामास बहुशस्तां च पत्नीं द्विजन्मनः
atha provāca duṣṭātmā durvaco bhayakārakam | trāsayāmāsa bahuśastāṃ ca patnīṃ dvijanmanaḥ
Darauf sprach jener mit böser Seele harte, furchterregende Worte und quälte immer wieder die Gattin jenes Zweimalgeborenen (Brahmanen).
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
The verse highlights adharma—cruel speech and repeated oppression—which Shaiva teaching treats as a binding impurity (pāśa) that deepens karmic bondage; it sets the ethical contrast through which Shiva’s grace later protects the righteous and restores dharma.
Kotirudra narratives often frame Jyotirlinga worship against human suffering and injustice; remembering Saguna Shiva as protector (rakṣaka) motivates refuge in the Linga—seeking Shiva’s compassionate intervention and inner purification from fear and violence.
A practical takeaway is to counter fear and harshness with Shiva-smaraṇa—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and cultivating śivadharma (non-injury, truthful speech); this aligns the mind toward Shiva’s grace and steadiness.