गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
ततः क्रीडाविहारे तु मत्तो बालेन्दुशेखरः । अनिर्जितेन कामेन दृष्टाः प्रोवाच नन्दिनम्
tataḥ krīḍāvihāre tu matto bālenduśekharaḥ | anirjitena kāmena dṛṣṭāḥ provāca nandinam
Then, during their sportive revelry, Bālenduśekhara (Lord Śiva, the wearer of the crescent moon), stirred with divine play, beheld them—his desire not yet subdued—and spoke to Nandin.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
It shows that even within divine līlā, the text highlights the theme of mastering kāma (desire). In a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, the devotee learns to move from impulse toward disciplined devotion, letting Śiva guide the transformation of the mind.
The epithet Bālenduśekhara emphasizes Śiva’s accessible, Saguna form for devotion. Remembering such forms in Linga-worship steadies attention and gradually refines desire into bhakti directed toward Pati (Śiva), rather than outward craving.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with restraint of the senses, supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders to conquer inner agitation and keep the mind anchored in Śiva.