Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 4
कौशिकी-गौरी तथा शार्दूलरूप-निशाचरस्य पूर्वकर्मवर्णनम् | Kauśikī-Gaurī and Brahmā’s account of the tiger-formed niśācara
भवितव्यमनेनातो ममान्तःपुरचारिणा । गणेश्वरपदं चास्मै प्रीत्या दास्यति शंकरः
bhavitavyamanenāto mamāntaḥpuracāriṇā | gaṇeśvarapadaṃ cāsmai prītyā dāsyati śaṃkaraḥ
Ainsi en est-il du destin de ce serviteur qui fréquente mes appartements intérieurs ; et Śaṅkara, satisfait, lui accordera avec amour le rang de Gaṇeśvara, Seigneur des Gaṇas.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s account to the sages, conveying the inner resolve/statement within the Shiva narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It emphasizes niyati (destiny under divine order) and Śiva’s anugraha (grace): when Śaṅkara is pleased, He elevates the devotee to a divinely ordained role—here, the supreme guardianship over the gaṇas—showing that spiritual authority ultimately flows from Pati (the Lord).
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva as the personal Lord who responds to devotion with prīti (loving pleasure) and grants boons and stations. In Linga-worship, the devotee approaches Śiva as accessible and compassionate; this narrative reflects that relational, grace-bestowing aspect of Saguna Śiva.
The key takeaway is cultivating prīti-bhakti toward Śiva through regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Linga-pūjā with reverence; such devotion is presented as the condition for Śiva’s grace rather than mere external power.