Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 30
गणेशोत्पत्ति-प्रसङ्गः / Episode on the Origin of Gaṇeśa (Śvetakalpa Account)
स्वद्वारि स्थापयित्वा तं गणेशं स्वसुतं शिवा । स्वयं च मज्जती सा वै संस्थितासीत्सखीयुता
svadvāri sthāpayitvā taṃ gaṇeśaṃ svasutaṃ śivā | svayaṃ ca majjatī sā vai saṃsthitāsītsakhīyutā
Après avoir placé à sa porte son propre fils Gaṇeśa, Śivā elle-même se mit à se baigner, demeurant là avec ses compagnes.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vāmadeva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It establishes maryādā (sacred boundary and order): Śivā creates a protected inner space for purity and vrata-like discipline, showing that even divine līlā follows dharma and proper conduct.
The episode belongs to Saguna Śiva-līlā—devotional narrative where divine persons enact roles. Such stories cultivate bhakti and reverence for sanctity (private shrine-space), which supports Linga worship through cleanliness, restraint, and honoring thresholds of worship.
It highlights śauca (purity) and snāna as preparatory disciplines before pūjā; a practical takeaway is to bathe, maintain a clean worship area, and begin japa (e.g., “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) only after establishing a protected, focused sacred space.