Shloka 59
नन्दिकेशावतारवर्णनम् (Nandikeśa Avatāra Varṇanam) — “Account of the Descent/Origin of Nandikeśvara”
अथापि चाल्पमृत्युर्मे न भविष्यति मां तुदः । सत्यं ब्रवीमि जनकं शपथन्ते करोम्यहम्
athāpi cālpamṛtyurme na bhaviṣyati māṃ tudaḥ | satyaṃ bravīmi janakaṃ śapathante karomyaham
“Dẫu vậy, đối với con sẽ không có cái chết yểu nào có thể đánh trúng và hành hạ con. Con nói lời chân thật—thưa cha—con xin lập lời thệ nguyện trang nghiêm trước cha.”
A devotee/son addressing his father (as narrated within Suta Goswami’s discourse in the Shatarudra Samhita)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: liberating
FAQs
It expresses Shaiva fearlessness: one grounded in truth and disciplined resolve (supported by devotion to Pati, Lord Shiva) does not succumb to the anxiety of “untimely death,” but stands steady in dharma and inner certainty.
In the Shiva Purana, seeking protection and stability is commonly oriented to Saguna Shiva—worship of the Shiva-Linga as the compassionate Lord who removes fear and grants auspiciousness, while guiding the devotee toward deeper, Nirguna realization.
A practical takeaway is to adopt a truth-based vrata (vow) with daily Shiva remembrance—japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and, where appropriate, Tripuṇḍra bhasma and Rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and devotion.