Shloka 21
Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya
प्रणम्याहुस्तु तत्सर्वे हरये देवसत्तमाः श्रुत्वा तेषां तदा वाक्यं भगवान्पुरुषोत्तमः
praṇamyāhustu tatsarve haraye devasattamāḥ śrutvā teṣāṃ tadā vākyaṃ bhagavānpuruṣottamaḥ
Nachdem sie sich verneigt hatten, sprachen all jene Besten unter den Göttern zu Hari. Da hörte der erhabene Herr, der höchste Mensch (Puruṣottama), ihre Worte (und machte sich bereit zu antworten).
Suta Goswami (narrating the scene; internal dialogue attributed to the Devas addressing Hari)
FAQs
It models the foundational posture of Linga-upasana—pranama (humble surrender). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, the Pashu approaches the divine through reverence, opening the way for anugraha (grace) that later culminates in right worship and release from Pasha.
Although Shiva is not named here, the narrative structure is Purana-typical: devas seek refuge in the Supreme (Pati-like) principle. In the Linga Purana’s broader theology, this refuge ultimately points to the non-contradiction of Hari and Hara, where supreme lordship and grace are central to Shiva-tattva.
Pranama and śravaṇa (receptive listening) are highlighted—key preparatory limbs for both puja-vidhi and Pashupata-oriented discipline, where humility and attentive hearing precede instruction, mantra, and regulated worship.