Shloka 1

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

Devanagari script

इति श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे पूर्वभागे नन्दिकेश्वरोत्पत्तिर् नाम द्विचत्वारिंशो ऽध्यायः नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच मया सह पिता हृष्टः प्रणम्य च महेश्वरम् उटजं स्वं जगामाशु निधिं लब्ध्वेव निर्धनः

Transliteration

iti śrīliṅgamahāpurāṇe pūrvabhāge nandikeśvarotpattir nāma dvicatvāriṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ nandikeśvara uvāca mayā saha pitā hṛṣṭaḥ praṇamya ca maheśvaram uṭajaṃ svaṃ jagāmāśu nidhiṃ labdhveva nirdhanaḥ

Translation

Thus, in the Śrī Liṅga-Mahāpurāṇa, in the Pūrvabhāga, begins the chapter called “The Manifestation of Nandikeśvara.” Nandikeśvara said: “My father, rejoicing with me, bowed down to Maheśvara and quickly returned to his own hermitage—like a poor man who, having found a hidden treasure, goes away fulfilled.”

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• śrī-liṅga-mahāpurāṇe: in the venerable Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa

• pūrvabhāge: in the first section (Pūrvabhāga)

• nandikeśvara-utpattiḥ nāma: named ‘the origin/manifestation of Nandikeśvara’

• dvicatvāriṃśaḥ adhyāyaḥ: the forty-second chapter (chapter number as stated in the colophon)

• nandikeśvara uvāca: Nandikeśvara said

• mayā saha: together with me

• pitā: (my) father

• hṛṣṭaḥ: delighted, thrilled

• praṇamya: having bowed, having paid homage

• ca: and

• maheśvaram: to Maheśvara (Śiva, the Supreme Lord)

• uṭajam svam: his own hut/forest-hermitage

• jagāma āśu: went quickly

• nidhim labdhvā iva: as if having obtained a treasure

• nirdhanaḥ: a poor man

Speaker

Nandikeśvara

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Maheśvara)
• Nandikeśvara

FAQs

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

It frames the chapter where Shiva’s grace becomes the turning point: humble pranāma (bowing) to Maheśvara is shown as the inner seed of Liṅga-bhakti—approaching Pati with reverence so the pashu (soul) is uplifted.

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

Shiva appears as Maheśvara, the supreme Pati whose mere presence and acceptance brings immediate inner fulfillment—likened to sudden treasure—indicating grace (anugraha) that loosens pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Praṇāma (prostration/bowing) to Maheśvara is highlighted—an essential bhakti-aṅga aligned with Pāśupata orientation: surrender of ego so the pashu turns toward Pati.