Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 2
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि चरितं शशिमौलिनः । गाणपत्यं ददौ प्रीत्या यथा बाणासुराय वै
idānīṃ śrotumicchāmi caritaṃ śaśimaulinaḥ | gāṇapatyaṃ dadau prītyā yathā bāṇāsurāya vai
À présent, je souhaite entendre le récit sacré du Seigneur au croissant de lune (Śiva) : comment, dans une joie bienveillante, Il accorda vraiment à Bāṇāsura le rang de Gaṇapatya, l’appartenance et l’autorité parmi Ses Gaṇas.
A sage in the Naimiṣāraṇya assembly addressing Sūta Gosvāmin (inferred frame of the Purāṇa narration)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace): even a powerful asura can receive elevation through sincere connection to the Lord, showing that divine compassion can transform status and destiny when devotion or surrender arises.
By calling Śiva “Śaśimaulin” (Moon-crested), the verse points to Saguna Śiva—His personal, symbol-rich form worshipped through liṅga-pūjā and devotion—through which devotees understand His accessible grace and protective lordship over the gaṇas.
A practical takeaway is bhakti-centered remembrance of Śiva’s compassionate form (dhyāna on Śaśimaulin) along with simple liṅga worship and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating receptivity to anugraha.