Shloka 29
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तवन्तं तं भिक्षुस्वरूपं करुणानिधिम् । सा विप्रवनिता शम्भुं प्रीत्या पप्रच्छ सादरम्
nandīśvara uvāca | ityuktavantaṃ taṃ bhikṣusvarūpaṃ karuṇānidhim | sā vipravanitā śambhuṃ prītyā papraccha sādaram
Nandīśvara said: When that treasure-house of compassion—Śambhu, who had assumed the form of a mendicant—had thus spoken, the brahmin lady, filled with love, respectfully questioned him.
Nandīśvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it explicitly names the theological device: Śambhu assumes a bhikṣu-form—concealment (tirodhāna) that simultaneously becomes compassion (karuṇā) preparing for grace (anugraha).
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights Shiva’s grace: the Supreme Pati approaches devotees in an accessible, human-like form, and sincere, reverent inquiry (praśna) becomes the doorway to receiving liberating instruction.
Shiva appearing as a bhikshu emphasizes Saguna Shiva—God with compassionate attributes—who can be approached through devotion; such leelas support personal worship (including Linga worship) by making the transcendent Lord relatable to the devotee.
The practical takeaway is bhakti-filled, respectful recitation and inquiry—approaching Shiva with humility; this pairs naturally with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and reverent listening to Shiva-kathā.