Shloka 53
गौतमविघ्नप्रकरणम्
Episode of Obstacles to Gautama; Gaṇeśa’s Appearing Through Misguided Worship
अथवा त्वं समानीय गंगास्नानं समाचर । पार्थिवानां तथा कोटिं कृत्वा देवं निषेवय
athavā tvaṃ samānīya gaṃgāsnānaṃ samācara | pārthivānāṃ tathā koṭiṃ kṛtvā devaṃ niṣevaya
Oder bring das heilige Wasser der Gaṅgā herbei und vollziehe das Gaṅgā-Bad; und ebenso, nachdem du ein koṭi (ein Crore) irdene Liṅgas gefertigt hast, verehre und diene dem Herrn (Śiva).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudrasaṃhitā teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The verse prescribes purification and merit through Gaṅgā-snāna and the Pārthiva-liṅga rite (clay liṅga-making). It functions as a general Śaiva expiatory/pilgrimage injunction rather than a specific Jyotirliṅga-māhātmya episode.
Significance: Gaṅgā-water bath and intensive Pārthiva-liṅga worship are presented as powerful means of pāpa-kṣaya and eligibility for Śiva’s grace (anugraha), aligning with Siddhānta’s stress on śuddhi (purification) as a prerequisite for higher realization.
FAQs
The verse teaches prāyaścitta and upliftment through sacred purification (Gaṅgā-snāna) and intense devotion (Parthiva-liṅga worship), directing the seeker toward Śiva’s grace as the liberating Pati.
By prescribing the making of earthen liṅgas and worshipping the Deva, it emphasizes Saguna-upāsanā—approaching Śiva in an accessible form (liṅga) to cultivate bhakti and receive anugraha (divine grace).
It suggests Gaṅgā-snāna (or bathing with Gaṅgā-water) and Parthiva-liṅga pūjā—creating many clay liṅgas and worshipping Śiva, typically supported by mantra-japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offerings.