Shloka 23
Viśvānara-Gṛhapati Upākhyāna — Śivasya Agni-gṛhe Avatāraḥ
The Account of Viśvānara Gṛhapati and Śiva’s Descent into the House of Fire
दण्डनायकमुख्यांश्च गणान्स्तुत्वा प्रयत्नतः । आदिकेशवमुख्यांश्च केशवम्परितोष्य च
daṇḍanāyakamukhyāṃśca gaṇānstutvā prayatnataḥ | ādikeśavamukhyāṃśca keśavamparitoṣya ca
Having diligently praised the gaṇas—beginning with Dandanāyaka and the foremost among them—and having also gratified Keśava (Viṣṇu), beginning with Ādi-Keśava, he proceeded further in devotion.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; the verse depicts preparatory devotional protocol—honouring Śiva’s gaṇas and also pleasing Keśava—often framed in Purāṇas as removing obstacles before Śiva-upāsanā.
Significance: Teaches inclusive reverence: propitiating Śiva’s attendants (gaṇas) and Viṣṇu as a dharmic prerequisite for unobstructed Śiva-bhakti and siddhi.
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights disciplined bhakti: honoring Śiva’s divine attendants (gaṇas) and showing reverence to Keśava, reflecting harmony among divine powers while keeping devotion steady.
In Saguna worship, devotees approach Śiva through His manifested retinue and sacred hierarchy; praising the gaṇas is a form of honoring Śiva’s living presence and His cosmic administration that supports Linga worship.
Perform stuti with focused effort (prayatna), beginning with respectful salutations to Śiva’s attendants; as a takeaway, combine mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with reverent praise before pūjā.