Shloka 14
उपमन्युकुमारस्य क्षीरार्थ-प्रार्थना तथा शिवप्रसाद-निबन्धनम् | Upamanyu’s Longing for Milk and the Doctrine of Shiva’s Grace
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा स शिशुः प्रीत्या शिवं मेऽस्त्वित्युदीर्य्य च । विसृज्य तां सुप्रणम्य तपः कर्त्तुं प्रचक्रमे
nandīśvara uvāca | ityuktvā sa śiśuḥ prītyā śivaṃ me'stvityudīryya ca | visṛjya tāṃ supraṇamya tapaḥ karttuṃ pracakrame
Nandīśvara said: Having spoken thus, the child, filled with joy, uttered, “May Śiva be mine.” Then, taking leave of her and bowing in reverence, he began to perform tapas—austerities.
Nandīśvara
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Nandīśvara’s narration frames the archetype of the devotee whose bhakti and tapas draw Śiva’s grace; not tied to a specific Jyotirliṅga site.
Significance: Highlights the inner ‘pilgrimage’ (antar-yātrā): surrender and disciplined tapas as the path to Śiva’s anugraha.
Mantra: śivaṃ me’stu
Type: stotra
FAQs
It shows the Shaiva path where heartfelt resolve for Śiva (bhakti) naturally matures into disciplined tapas, indicating that sincere longing for Pati (Śiva) becomes a means for purification and grace.
The vow “May Śiva be mine” reflects personal (saguṇa) devotion—approaching Śiva as the Lord who can be sought and attained—often expressed in practice through Linga-worship, mantra, and observances supported by tapas.
The verse points to tapas as a practical discipline—regular japa (especially Śiva-mantra), restrained living, and devotional observance—performed with reverence and surrender as the inner attitude.