Shloka 50

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

Devanagari script

देवी नन्दीश्वरं देवम् अभिषिञ्चामि भूतपम् गणेन्द्रं व्याहरिष्यामि किं वा त्वं मन्यसे ऽव्यये

Transliteration

devī nandīśvaraṃ devam abhiṣiñcāmi bhūtapam gaṇendraṃ vyāhariṣyāmi kiṃ vā tvaṃ manyase 'vyaye

Translation

Ôi Nữ Thần, ta sẽ cử hành lễ tắm thánh hiến (abhiṣeka) cho Nandīśvara—vị Thần Chủ, đấng hộ trì các bhūta và là thủ lĩnh các gaṇa. Ta sắp tuyên dương uy đức của ngài; hỡi đấng bất hoại, ý nàng thế nào?

Word by Word

• devī: O Goddess

• nandīśvaram: Nandīśvara (Lord Nandin)

• devam: the divine Lord

• abhiṣiñcāmi: I consecrate/I bathe ritually (perform abhiṣeka)

• bhūta-pam: protector/lord of the bhūtas (spirits/elements)

• gaṇa-indram: chief of the gaṇas

• vyāhariṣyāmi: I shall declare/proclaim

• kim vā: or what?/indeed what?

• tvam: you

• manyase: think/consider

• avyaye: O imperishable one (undecaying, immutable)

Speaker

Suta (narrating an internal dialogue involving the Devi and the Shiva-gaṇa order; speaker addresses Devi directly)

Characters & Entities

• Devi
• Nandishvara
• Shiva
• Ganas
• Bhutas

FAQs

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

It foregrounds abhiṣeka (ritual bathing/consecration) as a core Shaiva act and extends reverence beyond the Liṅga to Shiva’s sacred retinue—especially Nandīśvara—who safeguards the rite and the worshipper’s purity.

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

By presenting Nandīśvara as bhūtapati and gaṇendra, the verse reflects Shiva-tattva as sovereign over all categories of beings (bhūtas) and as the Pati (Lord) whose order (gaṇas) maintains cosmic and ritual harmony under Devi’s imperishable (avyaya) sanction.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it highlights abhiṣeka as a consecratory act central to Shaiva puja. Yogically (Pāśupata orientation), it implies disciplined reverence to Shiva’s hierarchy—approaching Pati through proper worship, guardianship, and sanctioned proclamation (vyāharaṇa) of sacred names and statuses.