Shloka 16
नन्दिकेश्वरावताराभिषेकविवाहवर्णनम्
Nandikeśvara: Incarnation, Consecration, and Marriage—Description
ततो जटाश्रितं वारि गृहीत्वा हार निर्मलम् । उक्त्वा नन्दी भवेतीह विससर्ज वृषध्वजः
tato jaṭāśritaṃ vāri gṛhītvā hāra nirmalam | uktvā nandī bhavetīha visasarja vṛṣadhvajaḥ
Then Vṛṣadhvaja (Lord Śiva), taking the pure water that rested in His matted locks, fashioned a spotless garland; and declaring, “Here, become Nandī,” He sent him forth.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shatarudrasaṃhitā account to the sages, with the action performed by Lord Shiva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga origin; the ‘jaṭā-āśrita vāri’ motif echoes Gaṅgā-in-the-locks imagery, but here it is used to ‘create/constitute’ a pure hāra and to institute Nandī’s office.
Significance: Institutionalizes Nandī as Śiva’s emblematic attendant and gatekeeper archetype; devotees emulate Nandī’s steadfastness to gain access to Śiva’s grace.
Role: creative
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva’s śakti of grace (anugraha): from His own sacred presence (symbolized by water from His jaṭā), He manifests purity and appoints Nandī as an embodiment of auspicious devotion and service to Pati (Śiva).
It underscores Saguna Śiva’s personal, compassionate agency—He actively establishes His attendant Nandī, who in temple tradition is placed facing the Śiva-liṅga, modeling focused bhakti and attentive contemplation of the Lord.
A practical takeaway is Nandī-upāsanā alongside liṅga-pūjā: sit with steady attention (like Nandī facing Śiva), repeat the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and cultivate inner purity (nirmalatā) before worship.