Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

नृणां योनिपरित्यागः सर्वथैव विवेकिनः एवमुक्त्वा तु मां साक्षात् सर्वदेवमहेश्वरः

Transliteration

nṛṇāṃ yoniparityāgaḥ sarvathaiva vivekinaḥ evamuktvā tu māṃ sākṣāt sarvadevamaheśvaraḥ

Translation

For men of discernment there is, in every way, complete renunciation of the womb-born state (repeated embodiment). Having spoken thus to me directly, the Great Lord—Maheshvara, sovereign of all the gods—continued the teaching.

Word by Word

• नृणाम्: of men

• योनि: womb, source of birth, embodied state

• परित्यागः: abandonment, renunciation

• सर्वथा एव: in every way, completely

• विवेकिनः: of the discerning one, of one endowed with discrimination (viveka)

• एवम्: thus

• उक्त्वा: having said

• तु: then/indeed

• माम्: to me

• साक्षात्: directly, in person

• सर्वदेवमहेश्वरः: Maheshvara, Lord over all the gods

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal instruction spoken by Shiva/Maheshvara)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-oriented Shaiva practice as aiming beyond merit to moksha—freedom from womb-born rebirth—through viveka and renunciation under Mahadeva’s grace as Pati.

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

Shiva is presented as Sarva-deva-Maheshvara, the supreme Pati who personally instructs and leads the bound soul (pashu) toward release from pasha (bondage) and saṃsāra.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights viveka-vairagya as the inner limb of Pashupata discipline—detachment from embodied identity—supporting Linga-puja as a means to transcend rebirth.