Shloka 30
नन्दिकेश्वरशिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्
The Māhātmya of the Nandikeśvara Śiva-liṅga
सूत उवाच । गंगावचनमाकर्ण्य सा साध्वी प्राह सुव्रता । तथास्त्विति वचः प्रीत्या लोकानां हितहेतवे
sūta uvāca | gaṃgāvacanamākarṇya sā sādhvī prāha suvratā | tathāstviti vacaḥ prītyā lokānāṃ hitahetave
Sūta said: Hearing Gaṅgā’s words, that virtuous and steadfast lady replied with joy, “So be it,” for the welfare and benefit of all the worlds.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The devotee’s joyful assent (‘tathāstu’) is explicitly for loka-hita (welfare of worlds), a hallmark of tīrtha/vrata narratives where individual vow supports cosmic/social order.
Significance: Teaches that vrata and compliance with sacred ordinance are not merely personal merit but contribute to loka-saṅgraha; such intent is considered a purifier of motive in pilgrimage.
Mantra: tathāstu
Shakti Form: Gaurī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights loka-hita (universal welfare) as a Shaiva virtue: a noble vow is fulfilled not for personal gain, but to support dharma and the good of all beings under Shiva’s order (niyati).
In Kotirudrasaṃhitā, the Jyotirlinga narrative emphasizes Saguna Shiva’s grace manifesting in the world; the joyful “tathāstu” reflects receptive devotion that aligns the devotee’s will with Shiva’s beneficent purpose.
Adopt a vrata (disciplined vow) with the intention of loka-kalyāṇa, and support it with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as an inner “tathāstu”—a conscious assent to Shiva’s dharma.