Shloka 12
नन्दिकेश्वरशिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्
The Māhātmya of the Nandikeśvara Śiva-liṅga
अथ प्रोवाच दुष्टात्मा दुर्वचो भयकारकम् । त्रासयामास बहुशस्तां च पत्नीं द्विजन्मनः
atha provāca duṣṭātmā durvaco bhayakārakam | trāsayāmāsa bahuśastāṃ ca patnīṃ dvijanmanaḥ
Then that wicked-souled man spoke harsh, fear-inspiring words, and again and again he tormented the wife of that twice-born brāhmaṇa.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
The verse highlights adharma—cruel speech and repeated oppression—which Shaiva teaching treats as a binding impurity (pāśa) that deepens karmic bondage; it sets the ethical contrast through which Shiva’s grace later protects the righteous and restores dharma.
Kotirudra narratives often frame Jyotirlinga worship against human suffering and injustice; remembering Saguna Shiva as protector (rakṣaka) motivates refuge in the Linga—seeking Shiva’s compassionate intervention and inner purification from fear and violence.
A practical takeaway is to counter fear and harshness with Shiva-smaraṇa—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and cultivating śivadharma (non-injury, truthful speech); this aligns the mind toward Shiva’s grace and steadiness.