Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 17
नन्दिकेश्वरशिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्
The Māhātmya of the Nandikeśvara Śiva-liṅga
ततश्च परमेशानो कृपादृष्ट्या विलोक्य ताम् । वरं ब्रूहीति चोवाच भक्तरक्षणदक्षधीः
tataśca parameśāno kṛpādṛṣṭyā vilokya tām | varaṃ brūhīti covāca bhaktarakṣaṇadakṣadhīḥ
Rồi Đấng Tối Thượng (Śiva) nhìn nàng bằng ánh mắt từ bi và phán: “Hãy nói đi—hãy chọn một ân huệ.” Ngài, với trí tuệ tinh tường, luôn khéo bảo hộ những người sùng kính, đã nói như vậy.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s words)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Models the fruit of śaraṇāgati: compassionate darśana and boon-granting; encourages pilgrims to seek inner transformation rather than mere worldly relief.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace): the Lord responds to sincere devotion with compassion and actively safeguards the devotee, showing that divine protection is a core feature of Shaiva bhakti.
The verse portrays Saguna Śiva—personally seeing, speaking, and granting boons—affirming that Linga-worship is not merely symbolic but a living relationship where the Lord’s grace becomes accessible to the devotee.
A practical takeaway is to approach Śiva with bhakti and surrender—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—trusting in His role as bhakta-rakṣaka (protector of devotees).