Shloka 1

Devas Praise Śiva; Gaṇeśa Manifests as Vighneśvara and Receives the Primacy of Worship

Devanagari script

इति श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे पूर्वभागे देवस्तुतिर्नाम चतुरधिकशततमो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच यदा स्थिताः सुरेश्वराः प्रणम्य चैवमीश्वरम् तदांबिकापतिर् भवः पिनाकधृङ् महेश्वरः

Transliteration

iti śrīliṅgamahāpurāṇe pūrvabhāge devastutirnāma caturadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ sūta uvāca yadā sthitāḥ sureśvarāḥ praṇamya caivamīśvaram tadāṃbikāpatir bhavaḥ pinākadhṛṅ maheśvaraḥ

Translation

Thus, in the Śrī Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa, in the Pūrvabhāga, begins the one-hundred-and-fifth chapter called “The Hymn of the Devas.” Sūta said: When the lords of the gods stood and bowed in reverence to Īśvara in this manner, then Bhava—Mahādeva, bearer of the Pināka bow, Lord of Ambikā (Śakti)—manifested before them as the supreme Pati who loosens the pāśa (bond) of the paśus (souls).

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• śrī-liṅga-mahāpurāṇe: in the auspicious Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa

• pūrva-bhāge: in the first section (Pūrvabhāga)

• deva-stutiḥ-nāma: named “Hymn of the Devas”

• catur-adhika-śatatamaḥ adhyāyaḥ: the 105th chapter

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• yadā: when

• sthitāḥ: stood/assembled

• sura-īśvarāḥ: the lords among the devas

• praṇamya: having bowed/prostrated

• ca: and

• evam: thus

• īśvaram: to the Lord (Īśvara)

• tadā: then

• ambikā-patiḥ: the Lord/consort of Ambikā (Śakti/Umā)

• bhavaḥ: Bhava (Śiva)

• pināka-dhṛk: bearer of the Pināka bow

• maheśvaraḥ: Mahā-īśvara, the Great Lord

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Maheshvara
• Bhava
• Ambika (Shakti/Parvati)
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames the Devas’ reverent approach (praṇāma and stuti) as the doorway by which Īśvara becomes manifest—implying that humble devotion and recognition of Śiva as Pati are foundational to Liṅga-upāsanā.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva is presented as Īśvara/Maheśvara—Bhava, the supreme Lord (Pati), inseparable from Śakti as Ambikāpati, and the One whose presence responds to the Devas’ surrender, indicating His sovereignty and grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Praṇāma (prostration) and stuti (hymnic praise) are highlighted as core devotional disciplines that align the paśu toward the Pati—serving as a preparatory limb for Śaiva worship and Pāśupata-oriented inner surrender.