Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 53
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
ततस्तासां तु रूपाणि दृष्ट्वा कुंभां डनंदिनी । वैष्णवादात्मयोगाच्च विज्ञातार्था व्यडंबयत्
tatastāsāṃ tu rūpāṇi dṛṣṭvā kuṃbhāṃ ḍanaṃdinī | vaiṣṇavādātmayogācca vijñātārthā vyaḍaṃbayat
तब उनके रूपों को देखकर कुम्भाण्डनन्दिनी ने आत्मयोग की अंतर्दृष्टि और वैष्णव-नीति के ज्ञान से उनका अभिप्राय जान लिया और उनके प्रदर्शन का कुशलतापूर्वक प्रत्युत्तर किया।
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights viveka (discernment) born of ātma-yoga: when appearances attempt to mislead, inner clarity recognizes intention and renders deception powerless—an applied teaching aligned with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on overcoming māyā through right knowledge and practice.
Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship trains the mind toward steadiness and truth. By devotion and mantra-centered concentration, the devotee gains the discrimination to see beyond shifting forms—just as Kumbhāṇḍanandinī perceives the hidden aim behind the display.
A practical takeaway is ātma-yoga supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and dhyāna to cultivate discernment; this steadiness helps one resist deceptive impulses and external glamour.