Shloka 48
गौतमविघ्नप्रकरणम्
Episode of Obstacles to Gautama; Gaṇeśa’s Appearing Through Misguided Worship
गौतमो दूरतः स्थित्वा नत्वा तानृषिसत्तमान् । पप्रच्छ विनयाविष्टः किं कार्यं हि मयाधुना
gautamo dūrataḥ sthitvā natvā tānṛṣisattamān | papraccha vinayāviṣṭaḥ kiṃ kāryaṃ hi mayādhunā
गौतम ने दूर खड़े होकर उन श्रेष्ठ ऋषियों को प्रणाम किया और विनय से भरकर पूछा—“अब मुझे क्या करना चाहिए?”
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; Gautama speaks within the narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; the verse frames Gautama’s submission to ṛṣis, setting up a prāyaścitta sequence that later culminates in Śiva’s grace in the broader narrative arc.
Significance: Models the pilgrim’s prerequisite of vinaya (humility) and guru/ṛṣi-guidance before undertaking expiatory pilgrimage-vrata.
FAQs
The verse highlights vinaya (humility) as the doorway to Shaiva grace: the seeker bows, restrains ego, and asks for right action (dharma), making himself fit for Shiva’s guidance through the sages.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely external; it is approached through reverence, purity of intent, and submission to scriptural and guru-like instruction—here symbolized by Gautama respectfully seeking direction from the rishis.
The takeaway is preparatory discipline: bowing (namaskāra), respectful conduct, and seeking prescribed practice—typically expressed in Shaiva contexts as mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara), and regulated worship under guidance.