The Greatness of the Nandikeshvara Shiva-linga

Verse 1 (shiva.kotirudra.7.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । कथं गङ्गा समायाता वैशाखे सप्तमीदिने । नर्मदायां विशेषेण सूतैतद्वर्णय प्रभो ॥ 7.1 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kathaṁ gaṅgā samāyātā vaiśākhe saptamīdine narmadāyāṁ viśeṣeṇa sūtaitadvarṇaya prabho

The sages said: O Suta, O lord, tell us in particular how Ganga came to the Narmada on the seventh day of Vaishakha.

Verse 2 (shiva.kotirudra.7.2)

ईश्वरश्च कथं जातो नन्दिकेशो हि नामतः । वृत्तं तदपि सुप्रीत्या कथय त्वं महामते ॥ 7.2 ॥

īśvaraśca kathaṁ jāto nandikeśo hi nāmataḥ vṛttaṁ tadapi suprītyā kathaya tvaṁ mahāmate

And how did the Lord come to be known by the very name Nandikesha? O highly wise one, relate that story too with pleasure.

Verse 3 (shiva.kotirudra.7.3)

सूत उवाच । साधु पृष्टमृषिश्रेष्ठा नन्दिकेशाश्रितं वचः । तदहं कथयाम्यद्य श्रवणात्पुण्यवर्धनम् ॥ 7.3 ॥

sūta uvāca sādhu pṛṣṭamṛṣiśreṣṭhā nandikeśāśritaṁ vacaḥ tadahaṁ kathayāmyadya śravaṇātpuṇyavardhanam

Suta said: Well have you asked, O best of sages, this account concerning Nandikesha; I shall tell it today — merit-increasing to hear.

Verse 4 (shiva.kotirudra.7.4)

ब्राह्मणी ऋषिका नाम्नी कस्यचिच्च द्विजन्मनः । सुता विवाहिता कस्मैचिद् द्विजाय विधानतः ॥ 7.4 ॥

brāhmaṇī ṛṣikā nāmnī kasyacicca dvijanmanaḥ sutā vivāhitā kasmaicid dvijāya vidhānataḥ

A brahmin woman named Rishika, the daughter of a certain brahmin, was duly married according to rule to a certain brahmin.

Verse 5 (shiva.kotirudra.7.5)

पूर्वकर्मप्रभावेण पत्नी सा हि द्विजन्मनः । सुव्रतापि च विप्रेन्द्रा बालवैधव्यमागता ॥ 7.5 ॥

pūrvakarmaprabhāveṇa patnī sā hi dvijanmanaḥ suvratāpi ca viprendrā bālavaidhavyamāgatā

O foremost of brahmins, by the power of former karma, that wife of the brahmin, though of excellent vows, came to widowhood while still young.

Verse 6 (shiva.kotirudra.7.6)

अथ सा द्विजपत्नी हि ब्रह्मचर्यव्रतान्विता । पार्थिवार्चनपूर्वं हि तपस्तेपे सुदारुणम् ॥ 7.6 ॥

atha sā dvijapatnī hi brahmacaryavratānvitā pārthivārcanapūrvaṁ hi tapastepe sudāruṇam

Then that brahmin's widow, taking up the vow of celibacy, performed extremely severe penance, preceded by the worship of the earthen linga.

Verse 7 (shiva.kotirudra.7.7)

तस्मिन्नवसरे दुष्टो मूढनामासुरो बली । ययौ तत्र महामायी कामबाणेन ताडितः ॥ 7.7 ॥

tasminnavasare duṣṭo mūḍhanāmāsuro balī yayau tatra mahāmāyī kāmabāṇena tāḍitaḥ

At that time, a wicked and powerful demon named Mudha, of great illusory power, struck by the arrow of desire, came to that place.

Verse 8 (shiva.kotirudra.7.8)

तपन्तीं तां समालोक्य सुन्दरीमतिकामिनीम् । तया भोगं ययाचे स नानालोभं प्रदर्शयन् ॥ 7.8 ॥

tapantīṁ tāṁ samālokya sundarīmatikāminīm tayā bhogaṁ yayāce sa nānālobhaṁ pradarśayan

Seeing that beautiful and most desirable woman performing penance, he begged of her sensual pleasure, displaying various temptations.

Verse 9 (shiva.kotirudra.7.9)

अथ सा सुव्रता नारी शिवध्यानपरायणा । तस्मिन्दृष्टिं दधौ नैव कामदृष्ट्या मुनीश्वराः ॥ 7.9 ॥

atha sā suvratā nārī śivadhyānaparāyaṇā tasmindṛṣṭiṁ dadhau naiva kāmadṛṣṭyā munīśvarāḥ

O lords of sages, that woman of excellent vows, devoted to meditation on Shiva, did not cast even a single glance of desire upon him.

Verse 10 (shiva.kotirudra.7.10)

न मानितवती तं च ब्राह्मणी सा तपोरता । अतीव हि तपोनिष्ठासीच्छिवध्यानमाश्रिता ॥ 7.10 ॥

na mānitavatī taṁ ca brāhmaṇī sā taporatā atīva hi taponiṣṭhāsīcchivadhyānamāśritā

That brahmin woman, absorbed in penance, did not honour him at all; she remained utterly devoted to her penance, taking refuge in meditation on Shiva.

Verse 11 (shiva.kotirudra.7.11)

अथ मूढः स दैत्येन्द्रः तया तन्व्या तिरस्कृतः । चुक्रोध विकटं तस्यै पश्चाद्रूपमदर्शयत् ॥ 7.11 ॥

atha mūḍhaḥ sa daityendraḥ tayā tanvyā tiraskṛtaḥ cukrodha vikaṭaṁ tasyai paścādrūpamadarśayat

Then that lord of demons, Mudha, being spurned by that slender lady, became enraged, and afterward showed her his horrible form.

Verse 12 (shiva.kotirudra.7.12)

अथ प्रोवाच दुष्टात्मा दुर्वचो भयकारकम् । त्रासयामास बहुशस्तां च पत्नीं द्विजन्मनः ॥ 7.12 ॥

atha provāca duṣṭātmā durvaco bhayakārakam trāsayāmāsa bahuśastāṁ ca patnīṁ dvijanmanaḥ

Then that wicked-souled one spoke harsh, fear-inducing words, and terrified that brahmin's wife again and again.

Verse 13 (shiva.kotirudra.7.13)

तदा सा भयसन्त्रस्ता बहुवारं शिवेति च । बभाषे स्नेहतस्तन्वी द्विजपत्नी शिवाश्रया ॥ 7.13 ॥

tadā sā bhayasantrastā bahuvāraṁ śiveti ca babhāṣe snehatastanvī dvijapatnī śivāśrayā

Then, terrified by fear, that slender brahmin's wife, taking refuge in Shiva, spoke the name 'Shiva' many times with love.

Verse 14 (shiva.kotirudra.7.14)

विह्वलातीव सा नारी शिवनामप्रभाषिणी । जगाम शरणं शम्भोः स्वधर्मावनहेतवे ॥ 7.14 ॥

vihvalātīva sā nārī śivanāmaprabhāṣiṇī jagāma śaraṇaṁ śambhoḥ svadharmāvanahetave

That woman, utterly overcome, uttering the name of Shiva, went for refuge to Shambhu, for the protection of her own dharma.

Verse 15 (shiva.kotirudra.7.15)

शरणागतरक्षार्थं कर्तुं सद्वृत्तमाहितम् । आनन्दार्थं हि तस्यास्तु शिव आविर्बभूव ह ॥ 7.15 ॥

śaraṇāgatarakṣārthaṁ kartuṁ sadvṛttamāhitam ānandārthaṁ hi tasyāstu śiva āvirbabhūva ha

In order to protect one who had come for refuge, to uphold good conduct once established, and indeed for her joy, Shiva then appeared.

Verse 16 (shiva.kotirudra.7.16)

अथ तं मूढनामानं दैत्येन्द्रं कामविह्वलम् । चकार भस्मसात्सद्यः शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः ॥ 7.16 ॥

atha taṁ mūḍhanāmānaṁ daityendraṁ kāmavihvalam cakāra bhasmasātsadyaḥ śaṅkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ

Then Shankara, tender toward his devotees, instantly reduced to ashes that lord of demons, named Mudha, overcome by lust.

Verse 17 (shiva.kotirudra.7.17)

ततश्च परमेशानो कृपादृष्ट्या विलोक्य ताम् । वरं ब्रूहीति चोवाच भक्तरक्षणदक्षधीः ॥ 7.17 ॥

tataśca parameśāno kṛpādṛṣṭyā vilokya tām varaṁ brūhīti covāca bhaktarakṣaṇadakṣadhīḥ

Then the Supreme Lord, skilled in the protection of his devotees, looking upon her with a compassionate glance, said, 'Ask a boon.'

Verse 18 (shiva.kotirudra.7.18)

श्रुत्वा महेशवचनं सा साध्वी द्विजकामिनी । ददर्श शाङ्करं रूपमानन्दजनकं शुभम् ॥ 7.18 ॥

śrutvā maheśavacanaṁ sā sādhvī dvijakāminī dadarśa śāṅkaraṁ rūpamānandajanakaṁ śubham

Hearing the words of Mahesha, that virtuous brahmin's wife beheld the auspicious form of Shankara, generator of bliss.

Verse 19 (shiva.kotirudra.7.19)

ततः प्रणम्य तं शम्भुं परमेशं सुखावहम् । तुष्टाव साञ्जलिः साध्वी नतस्कन्धा शुभाशया ॥ 7.19 ॥

tataḥ praṇamya taṁ śambhuṁ parameśaṁ sukhāvaham tuṣṭāva sāñjaliḥ sādhvī nataskandhā śubhāśayā

Then, bowing to that Shambhu, the Supreme Lord, bringer of happiness, that virtuous woman of pure intent praised him, hands joined, shoulders bowed.

Verse 20 (shiva.kotirudra.7.20)

ऋषिकोवाच । देवदेव महादेव शरणागतवत्सल । दीनबन्धुस्त्वमीशानो भक्तरक्षाकरः सदा ॥ 7.20 ॥

ṛṣikovāca devadeva mahādeva śaraṇāgatavatsala dīnabandhustvamīśāno bhaktarakṣākaraḥ sadā

Rishika said: 'O God of gods, Mahadeva, tender to those who come for refuge; you are Ishana, friend of the wretched, ever the protector of your devotees.'

Verse 21 (shiva.kotirudra.7.21)

त्वया मे रक्षितो धर्मो मूढनाम्नोऽसुरादिह । यदयं निहतो दुष्टो जगद्रक्षा कृता त्वया ॥ 7.21 ॥

tvayā me rakṣito dharmo mūḍhanāmno’surādiha yadayaṁ nihato duṣṭo jagadrakṣā kṛtā tvayā

'By you my dharma has been protected here from the demon named Mudha; since this wicked one has been slain, the protection of the world has been accomplished by you.'

Verse 22 (shiva.kotirudra.7.22)

स्वपादयोः परां भक्तिं देहि मे ह्यनपायिनीम् । अयमेव वरो नाथ किमन्यदधिकं ह्यतः ॥ 7.22 ॥

svapādayoḥ parāṁ bhaktiṁ dehi me hyanapāyinīm ayameva varo nātha kimanyadadhikaṁ hyataḥ

'Grant me supreme, unfailing devotion at your feet; this alone is the boon, O lord — what else is there greater than this?'

Verse 23 (shiva.kotirudra.7.23)

अन्यदाकर्णय विभो प्रार्थनां मे महेश्वर । लोकानामुपकारार्थमिह त्वं संस्थितो भव ॥ 7.23 ॥

anyadākarṇaya vibho prārthanāṁ me maheśvara lokānāmupakārārthamiha tvaṁ saṁsthito bhava

'Hear another prayer of mine too, O mighty lord Maheshvara: for the benefit of the worlds, remain established here.'

Verse 24 (shiva.kotirudra.7.24)

सूत उवाच । इति स्तुत्वा महादेवमृषिका सा शुभव्रता । तूष्णीमासाथ गिरिशः प्रोवाच करुणाकरः ॥ 7.24 ॥

sūta uvāca iti stutvā mahādevamṛṣikā sā śubhavratā tūṣṇīmāsātha giriśaḥ provāca karuṇākaraḥ

Suta said: Having thus praised Mahadeva, that Rishika of pure vows fell silent; then Girisha, the abode of compassion, spoke.

Verse 25 (shiva.kotirudra.7.25)

गिरिश उवाच । ऋषिके सुचरित्रा त्वं मम भक्ता विशेषतः । दत्ता वराश्च ते सर्वे तुभ्यं ये ये हि याचिताः ॥ 7.25 ॥

giriśa uvāca ṛṣike sucaritrā tvaṁ mama bhaktā viśeṣataḥ dattā varāśca te sarve tubhyaṁ ye ye hi yācitāḥ

Girisha said: 'O Rishika, virtuous of conduct, you are especially my devotee; all the boons that you have asked of me are granted to you.'

Verse 26 (shiva.kotirudra.7.26)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र हरिब्रह्मादयः सुराः । शिवाविर्भावमाज्ञाय ययुर्हर्षसमन्विताः ॥ 7.26 ॥

etasminnantare tatra haribrahmādayaḥ surāḥ śivāvirbhāvamājñāya yayurharṣasamanvitāḥ

Meanwhile, the gods headed by Hari and Brahma, learning of Shiva's manifestation there, came filled with joy.

Verse 27 (shiva.kotirudra.7.27)

शिवं प्रणम्य सुप्रीत्या समानर्चुश्च तेऽखिलाः । तुष्टुवुर्नतका विप्राः करौ बद्ध्वा सुचेतसः ॥ 7.27 ॥

śivaṁ praṇamya suprītyā samānarcuśca te’khilāḥ tuṣṭuvurnatakā viprāḥ karau baddhvā sucetasaḥ

Bowing to Shiva with great delight, all of them duly worshipped him; bowed down, folding their hands, those excellent-minded ones praised him.

Verse 28 (shiva.kotirudra.7.28)

एतस्मिन्समये गङ्गा साध्वीं तां स्वर्धुनी जगौ । ऋषिकां सुप्रसन्नात्मा प्रशंसन्ती च तद्विधिम् ॥ 7.28 ॥

etasminsamaye gaṅgā sādhvīṁ tāṁ svardhunī jagau ṛṣikāṁ suprasannātmā praśaṁsantī ca tadvidhim

At this time, Ganga, the celestial river, her mind well pleased, praising that rite, spoke to that virtuous Rishika.

Verse 29 (shiva.kotirudra.7.29)

गङ्गोवाच । ममार्थं चैव वैशाखे मासि देयं त्वया वचः । स्थित्यर्थं दिनमेकं मे सामीप्यं कार्यमेव हि ॥ 7.29 ॥

gaṅgovāca mamārthaṁ caiva vaiśākhe māsi deyaṁ tvayā vacaḥ sthityarthaṁ dinamekaṁ me sāmīpyaṁ kāryameva hi

Ganga said: 'For my sake, you must give me your word, in the month of Vaishakha; you must keep my company for a single day, for the sake of my staying here.'

Verse 30 (shiva.kotirudra.7.30)

सूत उवाच । गङ्गावचनमाकर्ण्य सा साध्वी प्राह सुव्रता । तथास्त्विति वचः प्रीत्या लोकानां हितहेतवे ॥ 7.30 ॥

sūta uvāca gaṅgāvacanamākarṇya sā sādhvī prāha suvratā tathāstviti vacaḥ prītyā lokānāṁ hitahetave

Suta said: Hearing Ganga's words, that virtuous, well-vowed lady said 'so be it' with pleasure, for the welfare of the worlds.

Verse 31 (shiva.kotirudra.7.31)

आनन्दार्थं शिवस्तस्याः सुप्रसन्नश्च पार्थिवे । तस्मिँल्लिङ्गे लयं यातः पूर्णांशेन तया हरः ॥ 7.31 ॥

ānandārthaṁ śivastasyāḥ suprasannaśca pārthive tasmi~lliṅge layaṁ yātaḥ pūrṇāṁśena tayā haraḥ

For her joy, Shiva, well pleased, dissolved into that earthen linga; Hara remained there with her in a full portion.

Verse 32 (shiva.kotirudra.7.32)

देवाः सर्वे सुप्रसन्नाः प्रशंसन्ति शिवं च ताम् । स्वं स्वं धाम ययुर्विष्णुर्ब्रह्माद्या अपि स्वर्णदी ॥ 7.32 ॥

devāḥ sarve suprasannāḥ praśaṁsanti śivaṁ ca tām svaṁ svaṁ dhāma yayurviṣṇurbrahmādyā api svarṇadī

All the gods, greatly pleased, praised both Shiva and her; Vishnu, Brahma and the others, and the celestial river too, went each to their own abode.

Verse 33 (shiva.kotirudra.7.33)

तद्दिनात्पावनं तीर्थमासीदीदृशमुत्तमम् । नन्दिकेशः शिवः ख्यातः सर्वपापविनाशनः ॥ 7.33 ॥

taddinātpāvanaṁ tīrthamāsīdīdṛśamuttamam nandikeśaḥ śivaḥ khyātaḥ sarvapāpavināśanaḥ

From that day, this became such a supremely purifying sacred ford; Shiva became renowned as Nandikesha, the destroyer of all sins.

Verse 34 (shiva.kotirudra.7.34)

गङ्गापि प्रतिवर्षं तद्दिने याति शुभेच्छया । क्षालनार्थं स्वपापस्य यद् गृहीतं नृणां द्विजाः ॥ 7.34 ॥

gaṅgāpi prativarṣaṁ taddine yāti śubhecchayā kṣālanārthaṁ svapāpasya yad gṛhītaṁ nṛṇāṁ dvijāḥ

O brahmins, Ganga too, out of goodwill, goes there every year on that day, to wash away the sin of men that she has taken upon herself.

Verse 35 (shiva.kotirudra.7.35)

तत्र स्नातो नरः सम्यङ् नन्दिकेशं समर्च्य च । ब्रह्महत्यादिभिः पापैर्मुच्यते ह्यखिलैरपि ॥ 7.35 ॥

tatra snāto naraḥ samyaṅ nandikeśaṁ samarcya ca brahmahatyādibhiḥ pāpairmucyate hyakhilairapi

A man who bathes there properly and duly worships Nandikesha is freed indeed from all sins, even that of killing a brahmin, along with all others.