Shloka 55
गौतमविघ्नप्रकरणम्
Episode of Obstacles to Gautama; Gaṇeśa’s Appearing Through Misguided Worship
शत कुंभैस्तथा स्नात्वा पार्थिवं निष्कृतिर्भवेत् । इति तैर्षिभिः प्रोक्तस्तथेत्योमिति तद्वचः
śata kuṃbhaistathā snātvā pārthivaṃ niṣkṛtirbhavet | iti tairṣibhiḥ proktastathetyomiti tadvacaḥ
After bathing as prescribed with a hundred water-pots, the expiation connected with the pārthiva rite of earthen liṅgas is fulfilled. Thus declared those sages; and he assented, saying, “So be it,” and “Om.”
Suta Goswami (narrating the prescribed expiatory procedure to the sages of Naimisharanya in the Kotirudra context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: This verse codifies the ‘niṣkṛti’ (expiatory completion) of the Pārthiva-liṅga rite through a specific snāna: bathing with one hundred kalaśas. It is a procedural closure rather than a site-specific legend.
Significance: Establishes a ritual ‘seal’ (completion marker) for expiation—important in dharma-śāstric and Purāṇic practice: the devotee exits the rite purified and ritually whole, ready for continued worship and higher disciplines.
Mantra: “oṃ” (uttered as assent/auspicious closure)
FAQs
It emphasizes śuddhi (purification) and niṣkṛti (expiation) as supports to devotion: disciplined bathing with many water-pots symbolizes cleansing of karmic impurities so the devotee becomes fit for Shiva-worship and grace (anugraha).
The verse explicitly points to the pārthiva rite—worship involving an earthen linga—showing that Saguna Shiva is approached through tangible, rule-based worship (snāna, offerings, mantra), which steadies the mind and turns it toward Pati (Shiva).
A prayaschitta-style snāna using a hundred kumbhas (kalasha-jala bathing) is indicated, concluded with reverent assent and the utterance of “Om,” aligning the act with mantra and intention.