Shloka 8

नन्दिकेश्वरशिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्

The Māhātmya of the Nandikeśvara Śiva-liṅga

Devanagari script

तपन्तीं तां समालोक्य सुन्दरीमतिकामिनीम् । तया भोगं ययाचे स नानालोभं प्रदर्शयन्

Transliteration

tapantīṃ tāṃ samālokya sundarīmatikāminīm | tayā bhogaṃ yayāce sa nānālobhaṃ pradarśayan

Translation

Seeing her engaged in austerity—yet exceedingly beautiful and a strong object of desire—he begged to enjoy sensual pleasures with her, displaying many kinds of temptations and greedy enticements.

Word by Word

• तपन्तीम्: (her) performing austerity
• तपन्तीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तप् (धातु) → तपन्ती (कृदन्त/शतृ)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present active participle)

• ताम्: her
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• सम्-आलोक्य: having looked at
• सम्-आलोक्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Absolutive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम् + लोक् (धातु) → आलोक्य (क्त्वान्त कृदन्त)
• Form: अव्ययभावे क्त्वा/ल्यप् (gerund); ‘सम्’ उपसर्गयुक्त

• सुन्दरीम्: the beautiful woman
• सुन्दरीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुन्दरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अति-कामिनीम्: exceedingly desirable
• अति-कामिनीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + कामिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (अतिकामिनी = अत्यन्तं कामिनी)

• तया: by her / with her
• तया: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• भोगम्: enjoyment, sexual pleasure
• भोगम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ययाचे: begged, requested
• ययाचे: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: याच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• नाना-लोभम्: various temptations/greeds
• नाना-लोभम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + लोभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (नानाविधः लोभः)

• प्र-दार्शयन्: showing, displaying
• प्र-दार्शयन्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; concomitant action)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + दृश् (धातु) → दर्शयन् (कृदन्त/शतृ, णिच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; णिच् (causative) ‘दर्शयति’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• an unnamed ascetic woman
• an unnamed tempter (he)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It highlights how tapas (austerity) is often tested by kama (desire) through alluring temptations; Shaiva teaching emphasizes inner mastery and purity as essential supports for approaching Shiva and progressing toward moksha.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is grounded in self-restraint and purification; resisting temptation protects tapas and steadies the mind, making devotion to Saguna Shiva (and contemplation of Shiva beyond qualities) fruitful rather than distracted by sense-craving.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is strengthening vairagya through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined vrata/tapas, supported by steady meditation and ethical restraint to avoid being swayed by greed and sensual invitation.