Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

इभाननाश्रितं वरं त्रिशूलपाशधारिणम् समस्तलोकसंभवं गजाननं तदांबिका

Transliteration

ibhānanāśritaṃ varaṃ triśūlapāśadhāriṇam samastalokasaṃbhavaṃ gajānanaṃ tadāṃbikā

Translation

Then Ambikā invoked the noble Gajānana—he who is attended by the elephant-faced hosts, who bears the trident and the noose (pāśa), and who is the source from whom the worlds arise—calling upon him for the removal of bonds and the fulfillment of auspicious aims.

Word by Word

• तदा (tadā): then

• अंबिका (ambikā): Ambikā/Divine Mother

• गजाननम् (gajānanam): Gajānana, the elephant-faced Lord (Gaṇeśa)

• इभानन-आश्रितम् (ibhānanāśritam): attended by/associated with elephant-faced beings (gaṇas)

• वरम् (varam): excellent, boon-giving, noble

• त्रिशूल (triśūla): trident

• पाश (pāśa): noose, bond

• धारिणम् (dhāriṇam): bearer

• समस्त (samasta): all, entire

• लोक (loka): worlds

• संभवम् (saṃbhavam): origin, arising, source

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Ambika’s act within the Purana’s narrative frame)

Characters & Entities

• Ambika
• Gajanana (Ganesha)

FAQs

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

It presents Ambikā’s auspicious invocation of Gajānana—traditionally worshipped first—highlighting the removal of obstacles and bonds (pāśa) before proceeding toward Shiva-centric rites such as linga-pūjā.

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

By portraying a deity who is the source of all worlds and who wields instruments of control and liberation (triśūla and pāśa), the verse echoes Shaiva Siddhānta’s framework: Pati (the Lord) governs creation and releases the paśu (soul) from pāśa (bondage) through divine power.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A purificatory invocation (āvāhana/stuti) aimed at cutting impediments and loosening pāśa—an inner prerequisite aligned with Pāśupata-oriented discipline before deeper worship and contemplation.