Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
गणेश-षण्मुखयोः विवाहविचारः / Deliberation on the Marriages of Gaṇeśa and Ṣaṇmukha
किं पुनः पृविवीमेतां क्रांत्वा चोपार्जितं सुखम् । विचार्येति गणेशस्तु यच्चकार शृणुष्व तत्
kiṃ punaḥ pṛvivīmetāṃ krāṃtvā copārjitaṃ sukham | vicāryeti gaṇeśastu yaccakāra śṛṇuṣva tat
“তবে এই পৃথিবী জয় করে যে সুখ অর্জিত হয়, তারই বা কী মূল্য?”—এভাবে চিন্তা করে গণেশ যা করলেন, তা শোনো।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: No jyotirliṅga; the verse pivots from worldly conquest (‘overstepping the earth’) to questioning the value of such sukha—an ethical-gnostic turn that Siddhānta aligns with vairāgya and the search for higher good under Śiva’s ordinance.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights viveka (discernment): even the joy of conquering the whole earth is limited and cannot satisfy the soul. Lasting fulfillment comes by turning from worldly ambition toward Shiva-centered dharma and devotion.
By questioning the value of worldly conquest, the verse redirects attention to a higher aim—seeking Shiva (Saguna worship through Linga, puja, and bhakti) as the stable refuge beyond transient gains.
The practical takeaway is daily vicāra with Shiva-bhakti: repeat the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offer simple Linga worship, using bhasma and/or rudrākṣa as aids to detach from pride and cultivate steadiness.