Shloka 35
नन्दिकेशावतारवर्णनम् (Nandikeśa Avatāra Varṇanam) — “Account of the Descent/Origin of Nandikeśvara”
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा मुनिं प्रेक्ष्य प्रणिपत्यास्थितं घृणी । सोमस्तूर्णं तमादिश्य तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरः
nandīśvara uvāca | evamuktvā muniṃ prekṣya praṇipatyāsthitaṃ ghṛṇī | somastūrṇaṃ tamādiśya tatraivāntardadhe haraḥ
Nandīśvara said: Having spoken thus, Hari (Śiva), compassionate by nature, looked upon the sage who stood there after bowing in reverence. Then Soma promptly instructed him, and right there the Lord vanished from sight.
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Śiva’s disappearance (antardhāna) after granting the boon is a narrative marker of divine withdrawal; not a Jyotirliṅga manifestation account.
Significance: Teaches the rhythm of grace and concealment: after anugraha, the Lord may withdraw from direct perception, leaving the devotee to follow instruction and mature in devotion.
Cosmic Event: antardhāna (divine disappearance)
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace): when the seeker bows with humility, the Lord’s compassionate glance confirms acceptance, and the teaching is then carried forward through divine or authorized guidance.
The verse reflects Saguna Śiva’s accessible presence—He grants darśana, blesses the devotee, and then withdraws, teaching that the devotee should continue worship (often through the Liṅga) even when the physical vision of the Lord is no longer manifest.
Prostration (praṇāma) with bhakti and steadiness is implied; as a takeaway, approach Liṅga-pūjā with humility, repeat the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and cultivate inner remembrance even after the moment of darśana passes.