Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
गणेश-षण्मुखयोः विवाहविचारः / Deliberation on the Marriages of Gaṇeśa and Ṣaṇmukha
किं पुनः पृविवीमेतां क्रांत्वा चोपार्जितं सुखम् । विचार्येति गणेशस्तु यच्चकार शृणुष्व तत्
kiṃ punaḥ pṛvivīmetāṃ krāṃtvā copārjitaṃ sukham | vicāryeti gaṇeśastu yaccakāra śṛṇuṣva tat
«Entonces, ¿qué valor tiene la dicha obtenida al conquistar esta misma tierra?»—así reflexionó Gaṇeśa; y lo que hizo a continuación, escúchalo.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: No jyotirliṅga; the verse pivots from worldly conquest (‘overstepping the earth’) to questioning the value of such sukha—an ethical-gnostic turn that Siddhānta aligns with vairāgya and the search for higher good under Śiva’s ordinance.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights viveka (discernment): even the joy of conquering the whole earth is limited and cannot satisfy the soul. Lasting fulfillment comes by turning from worldly ambition toward Shiva-centered dharma and devotion.
By questioning the value of worldly conquest, the verse redirects attention to a higher aim—seeking Shiva (Saguna worship through Linga, puja, and bhakti) as the stable refuge beyond transient gains.
The practical takeaway is daily vicāra with Shiva-bhakti: repeat the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offer simple Linga worship, using bhasma and/or rudrākṣa as aids to detach from pride and cultivate steadiness.