Shloka 40
अध्याय ४९ — विवाहानुष्ठाने ब्रह्मणः काममोहः
Brahmā’s Enchantment by Desire during the Wedding Rites
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्तास्ते तदा सर्वे बालखिल्याश्च पर्वतम् । सत्वरम्प्रययुर्नत्वा शंकरं गन्धमादनम्
brahmovāca | ityuktāste tadā sarve bālakhilyāśca parvatam | satvaramprayayurnatvā śaṃkaraṃ gandhamādanam
Brahmā said: Thus instructed, all of them—the Bālakhilya sages—then hurried to the mountain. Having bowed in reverence to Śaṅkara on Gandhamādana, they swiftly departed.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Gandhamādana is invoked as a sacred Himalayan region where Śaṅkara is worshipped; the verse itself does not connect it to a named Jyotirliṅga.
Significance: Highlights tīrtha-yātrā as a response to divine instruction: bowing to Śaṅkara at a holy mountain becomes a catalyst for spiritual progress and protection.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva principle that right action begins with humility: the sages first bow to Śaṅkara, acknowledging Shiva as Pati (the Lord) whose grace removes bondage, and only then proceed swiftly to their duty.
Although the Linga is not named here, the act of ‘natvā śaṅkaram’ expresses Saguna-Shiva devotion—approaching the Lord with reverence and surrender—which is the inner attitude that also sanctifies Linga worship in the Shiva Purana.
It suggests namaskāra and śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): begin worship with respectful bowing, mentally offering oneself to Shiva; this can be paired with japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—before undertaking any spiritual or worldly task.