नन्दिकेश्वरोत्पत्तिः — Nandikesvara’s Origin, Shiva’s Boons, and the Rise of Sacred Rivers
उवाच ब्रूहि किं ते ऽद्य ददामि वरमुत्तमम् ततो जटाश्रितं वारि गृहीत्वा चातिनिर्मलम्
uvāca brūhi kiṃ te 'dya dadāmi varamuttamam tato jaṭāśritaṃ vāri gṛhītvā cātinirmalam
He said: “Tell me—what do you desire today? I shall grant you the supreme boon.” Then he took the exceedingly pure water that dwells in the matted locks (jaṭā) and received it as a sanctifying gift.
Shiva (implied internal dialogue within Suta’s narration)
It highlights the sanctity of pure water used for abhiṣeka—water associated with Śiva’s jatā is portrayed as supremely purifying, fitting for Linga-pūjā and for receiving Śiva’s grace.
Śiva appears as Pati—the compassionate Lord who grants boons and purification; his power to bestow anugraha (grace) is shown through both speech (boon-giving) and sacred substance (purifying water).
Ritually, it points to abhiṣeka with exceptionally pure water; yogically, it implies purification (śuddhi) as a prerequisite for loosening pāśa (bondage) under Pati’s favor.