नन्दिकेशावतारवर्णनम् (Nandikeśa Avatāra Varṇanam) — “Account of the Descent/Origin of Nandikeśvara”
तपसानेन किं कार्यं भवते हि महा मते । ददामि पुत्रं सर्वज्ञं सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारगम्
tapasānena kiṃ kāryaṃ bhavate hi mahā mate | dadāmi putraṃ sarvajñaṃ sarvaśāstrārthapāragam
“O great-minded one, what further need have you of this austerity? I shall grant you a son—omniscient, and fully accomplished in the true purport of all the śāstras.”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
The verse highlights Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on anugraha (Shiva’s grace): tapas has value, but its fruition is ultimately fulfilled when Shiva, pleased, bestows the boon that leads toward dharma and spiritual illumination.
It reflects Saguna Shiva’s compassionate responsiveness to devotion and disciplined worship—Shiva, approached through vows, mantra, and reverence, personally grants results, showing the living reciprocity central to Linga-bhakti.
The implied practice is sustained tapas supported by Shiva-upāsanā—regular japa (especially the Panchakshara), purity observances, and steadfast devotion—culminating in Shiva’s direct bestowal of grace.