Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । अर्जुनोपि तदा तत्र दीप्यमानो व्यदृश्यत । मन्त्रेण शिवरूपेण तेजश्चातुलमावहत्
nandīśvara uvāca | arjunopi tadā tatra dīpyamāno vyadṛśyata | mantreṇa śivarūpeṇa tejaścātulamāvahat
ନନ୍ଦୀଶ୍ୱର କହିଲେ—ତେବେ ସେଠାରେ ଅର୍ଜୁନ ମଧ୍ୟ ଦୀପ୍ତିମାନ ଭାବେ ଦେଖାଗଲେ; ମନ୍ତ୍ରବଳରେ ଶିବରୂପ ଧାରଣ କରି ଅତୁଳ ତେଜ ବହନ କରୁଥିଲେ।
Nandīśvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
It shows that through Shiva-mantra and Shiva’s grace, the devotee’s limited identity is refined and begins to reflect Shiva’s divine qualities—radiance, purity, and God-centered power—without claiming independent divinity.
Assuming “Śiva’s form” points to Saguna upāsanā: by mantra-japa and contemplative worship (often centered on the Shiva-linga), the mind takes on the form of the deity (devatā-bhāva), making the worshipper fit for Shiva’s presence and blessings.
Steady mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with dhyāna on Shiva’s form; as supportive Shaiva practices, wearing Rudrākṣa and applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) can be integrated to strengthen focus and devotion.