Shloka 20
नन्दिकेशावतारवर्णनम् (Nandikeśa Avatāra Varṇanam) — “Account of the Descent/Origin of Nandikeśvara”
वल्मीकेन वृतांगश्च लक्षकोटगणैर्मुनिः । सूचीमुखैश्चान्यै रक्तभुग्भिश्च सर्वतः
valmīkena vṛtāṃgaśca lakṣakoṭagaṇairmuniḥ | sūcīmukhaiścānyai raktabhugbhiśca sarvataḥ
その仙人の身は蟻塚に包まれ、四方から数えきれぬ群れに取り囲まれた――針のような口をもつ虫ども、また血を啜る他の生き物たちに。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
Significance: Extreme tapas amid bodily affliction illustrates endurance under pāśa (karmic and māyic limitation); the devotee’s steadfastness anticipates Śiva’s grace.
FAQs
It highlights the extremity of tapas: the seeker remains unmoved by bodily suffering, indicating mastery over the senses and single-pointed absorption that prepares one for Shiva’s grace and liberation.
Such unwavering endurance is presented as the inner discipline that makes Linga-worship fruitful—external pūjā becomes potent when supported by steadiness, self-restraint, and devotion to Saguna Shiva as the accessible form of the Supreme.
The takeaway is steadfast japa and dhyāna—especially Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—performed with endurance and detachment; one may support it with Shaiva marks like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa where appropriate.