Shloka 37

नन्दिकेश्वरोत्पत्तिः — Nandikesvara’s Origin, Shiva’s Boons, and the Rise of Sacred Rivers

Devanagari script

पुत्रस्ते ऽयमिति प्रोच्य पादयोः संन्यपातयत् सा मामाघ्राय शिरसि पाणिभ्यां परिमार्जती

Transliteration

putraste 'yamiti procya pādayoḥ saṃnyapātayat sā māmāghrāya śirasi pāṇibhyāṃ parimārjatī

Translation

“ഇവൻ നിന്റെ പുത്രൻ” എന്നു പറഞ്ഞ് അവൻ എന്നെ അവളുടെ പാദങ്ങളിൽ വീഴ്ത്തി. അവൾ എന്റെ തല മണത്തു, ഇരുകൈകളാലും സ്നേഹത്തോടെ മൃദുവായി തഴുകി.

Word by Word

• पुत्रः: son

• ते: your

• अयम्: this (one)

• इति: thus

• प्रोच्य: having said

• पादयोः: at the feet (dual)

• संन्यपातयत्: caused (me) to fall/prostrate

• सा: she

• माम्: me

• आघ्राय: having smelled/sniffed (as a sign of affection)

• शिरसि: on the head

• पाणिभ्याम्: with both hands

• परिमार्जती: stroking/caressing, wiping lovingly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages; internal scene narration)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It highlights humility and reverence (falling at the feet) as a foundational bhava that purifies the pashu (individual soul) before approaching Pati (Shiva) through Linga-puja.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it reflects Shiva-tattva through the lens of grace and tenderness: as worldly affection mirrors the deeper anugraha (bestowing of grace) by Pati that comforts and lifts the bound soul from pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Prostration (pada-vandana/namaskara) is emphasized—an ethical-ritual discipline that supports Pashupata-oriented inner surrender and readiness for mantra, puja, and restraint.