Shloka 16

शिवागमन-नाद-समागमः (Śiva’s Advent, the Drum-Sound, and the Cosmic Assembly)

Devanagari script

महाकेशस्सहस्रेण कोटीनां गणपो वृतः

Transliteration

mahākeśassahasreṇa koṭīnāṃ gaṇapo vṛtaḥ

Translation

Gaṇapa, the chief of Śiva’s hosts, was surrounded by a thousand mighty, long-haired attendants—indeed, by crores of gaṇas.

Word by Word

• महाकेशः: Mahākeśa (name)
• महाकेशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + केश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् केशः यस्य / महाकेशः नाम)

• सहस्रेण: by/with a thousand
• सहस्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक-नाम

• कोटीनाम्: of crores
• कोटीनाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• गणपः: Gaṇapa (name/leader of a troop)
• गणपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गणप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वृतः: was surrounded
• वृतः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत (कृदन्त; √वृ धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘वृतः’ = surrounded/encircled

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganesha

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It highlights the immeasurable expanse of Śiva’s śakti expressed as His gaṇas—divine attendants who uphold dharma and protect the sacred sphere of the Lord, reminding devotees that the Lord’s presence operates through ordered, conscious forces.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Linga and Saguna-Śiva worship, the devotee approaches the Lord with reverence for His manifest forms and entourage; honoring Śiva’s gaṇas reflects acceptance of His cosmic sovereignty and the living sacred order surrounding the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate sevā-bhāva (service-attitude) during pūjā—offer prayers to Śiva along with respectful remembrance of His gaṇas; steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) strengthens inner alignment with Śiva’s protective, orderly presence.