Shloka 25
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
सनत्कुमार उवाच । बलिपुत्रस्स वै बाणो मोहितश्शिवमायया । मुक्तिप्रदं महेशानं दुराराध्यमपि ध्रुवम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | baliputrassa vai bāṇo mohitaśśivamāyayā | muktipradaṃ maheśānaṃ durārādhyamapi dhruvam
Sanatkumāra said: “Truly, Bāṇa, the son of Bali, was deluded by Śiva’s māyā. Yet Maheśāna—bestower of liberation and indeed hard to propitiate—remains ever constant.”
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as Pati (the Lord) whose māyā can veil understanding, while also affirming that the same Maheśāna is the steadfast giver of mokṣa—liberation arises by His grace, not by ego or mere power.
By calling Śiva “durārādhya” yet “muktiprada,” the verse implies that Saguna worship—such as Linga-upāsanā with devotion and humility—is the accessible means to approach the transcendent Lord who grants liberation.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a humble bhāva, supported by Shaiva disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa, to overcome māyā and seek Śiva’s grace.