Shloka 12
ब्राह्मणीमरणवर्णनम् (Account of the Brahmin Woman’s Death) — within Nandikeśvara-māhātmya
नन्दीकेशं च यश्चैव पूजयेत्परया मुदा । नित्यं तस्याखिला सिद्धिर्भविष्यति न संशयः
nandīkeśaṃ ca yaścaiva pūjayetparayā mudā | nityaṃ tasyākhilā siddhirbhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
Whoever worships Nandīkeśa (Nandī) with supreme devotion and joyful reverence each day, for him all attainments (siddhis) will surely arise continually—of this there is no doubt.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Oṃkāreśvara
Sthala Purana: The text prescribes bhakti-filled worship of Nandīkeśa as a vrata-like daily practice, promising ‘akhilā siddhi’—a typical kṣetra-māhātmya assurance that disciplined devotion at the gateway (Nandī) leads to success in Śiva-upāsanā.
Significance: Honoring Nandī before Śiva-darśana is portrayed as a direct means to siddhi (ritual/spiritual efficacy) and steadiness in sādhana.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that honoring Nandī—Śiva’s foremost gaṇa and embodiment of devoted service—stabilizes bhakti and removes obstacles, leading to “akhilā siddhi,” complete spiritual and worldly attainments by Śiva’s grace.
In temple and Jyotirliṅga worship, Nandī faces the Śiva-liṅga; reverently worshiping Nandī is part of approaching Saguna Śiva correctly—through humility, devotion, and alignment with Śiva’s dhāma and attendants.
Perform Nandī-pūjā with joyful devotion before Śiva-pūjā—offer water/flowers, bow with reverence, and mentally dedicate the worship to Śiva while repeating a Śiva-mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).