Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
त्रिपुरदाहवर्णनम् | Tripura-dāha-varṇanam
Description of the Burning of Tripura
तस्मिस्थिते महादेवे पूजयित्वा गणाधिपम् । पुराणि तत्र कालेन जग्मुरेकत्वमाशु वै
tasmisthite mahādeve pūjayitvā gaṇādhipam | purāṇi tatra kālena jagmurekatvamāśu vai
While Mahādeva remained stationed there, they worshipped Gaṇādhipa, Lord Gaṇeśa. Then, in the due course of time, all those hosts of gaṇas swiftly became of one accord—united in purpose.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights that when Śiva’s presence is steady, worship of Gaṇādhipa removes impediments and brings collective minds into harmony—symbolizing inner integration (ekatva) required for Shaiva devotion and right action.
In Saguna worship, Gaṇeśa is honored first as the lord of attendants and the remover of obstacles; this prepares the devotee and the ritual space so that Linga-pūjā to Mahādeva proceeds without disruption and with unified intent.
Begin Shiva worship with a brief Gaṇeśa pūjā (or Gaṇapati mantra) to clear obstacles, then proceed with Shiva upāsanā—such as japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” ideally with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and focused single-pointedness.