नन्दिकेशावतारवर्णनम् (Nandikeśa Avatāra Varṇanam) — “Account of the Descent/Origin of Nandikeśvara”
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । मया सह पिता हृष्टः सुप्रणम्य महेश्वरम् । उटजं स्वं जगामाशु निधिं लब्ध्वेव निर्धनः
nandīśvara uvāca | mayā saha pitā hṛṣṭaḥ supraṇamya maheśvaram | uṭajaṃ svaṃ jagāmāśu nidhiṃ labdhveva nirdhanaḥ
Nandīśvara sprach: „Zusammen mit mir verneigte sich mein Vater, von Freude erfüllt, in tiefer Ehrfurcht vor Maheśvara und kehrte eilends in seine eigene Einsiedelei zurück, wie ein Armer, der plötzlich einen Schatz erlangt.“
Nandīśvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse depicts Śiva’s immediate bestowal of grace (anugraha) experienced as ‘treasure’ by the devotee, a common Purāṇic trope for darśana-phala.
Significance: Darśana of Maheśvara is framed as instant inner enrichment—turning ascetic poverty into spiritual wealth (jñāna/bhakti).
The verse highlights the transformative joy that arises from humble surrender (praṇāma) to Maheśvara—Śiva’s grace makes the devotee feel inwardly enriched, as if poverty has turned into treasure.
By stressing reverent bowing to Maheśvara, it reflects Saguna Śiva-bhakti: approaching Śiva as the compassionate Lord who can be directly honored and experienced through worship (including Liṅga-pūjā) and devotion.
A simple practice is indicated: offer heartfelt namaskāra to Śiva before daily duties—ideally alongside japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating humility and gratitude as the core of sādhana.