वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)
अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य फलं प्राप्य महायशाः गणाधिपत्यं सम्प्राप्तस् तण्डिनस्तेजसा प्रभोः
aśvamedhasahasrasya phalaṃ prāpya mahāyaśāḥ gaṇādhipatyaṃ samprāptas taṇḍinastejasā prabhoḥ
Setelah meraih pahala setara seribu Aśvamedha, Taṇḍin yang termasyhur memperoleh kedudukan sebagai Gaṇādhipati, berkat tejas—anugerah bercahaya dari Sang Prabhu (Śiva).
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It declares that Shiva’s grace can bestow merit surpassing even vast Vedic rites, indicating Linga-centered devotion as a direct means to divine elevation and proximity to the Lord.
Shiva is presented as Pati—the sovereign Lord whose tejas (divine radiance/grace) confers status and spiritual fruit, showing that ultimate attainment depends on the Lord’s bestowal, not merely ritual mechanics.
The verse emphasizes Shaiva merit rooted in the Lord’s anugraha (grace), aligning with Pashupata orientation where devotion and surrender to Pati lead to transformation of the pashu into Shiva’s attendant (gana).