Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 117

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

गाणपत्यं तदा शंभोर् ययुः पूजाविधेर्बलात् न किंचिद् अब्रुवन् देवाः सेन्द्रोपेन्द्रा गणेश्वराः

Transliteration

gāṇapatyaṃ tadā śaṃbhor yayuḥ pūjāvidherbalāt na kiṃcid abruvan devāḥ sendropendrā gaṇeśvarāḥ

Translation

Saat itu, oleh daya kuat tata cara pemujaan Śambhu, para Deva—beserta Indra dan Upendra—masuk ke dalam kedudukan sebagai Gaṇa Śambhu; dan para penguasa bala surgawi itu tidak mengucapkan sepatah kata pun.

Word by Word

• गाणपत्यं: the state/affiliation of (Shiva’s) Gaṇas

• तदा: then

• शंभोः: of Śambhu (Śiva)

• ययुः: they went/attained

• पूजाविधेः: of the rite/method of worship

• बलात्: by force/compelling potency

• न: not

• किंचित्: anything

• अब्रुवन्: they spoke

• देवाः: the gods

• सेन्द्रोपेन्द्राः: with Indra and Upendra (Vishnu)

• गणेश्वराः: leaders/lords of the groups (hosts).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Indra
• Upendra (Vishnu)
• Devas
• Ganas

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It emphasizes that Śiva’s puja-vidhi is not merely ceremonial: it has transformative śakti that can elevate even the Devas into Śiva’s sphere (gaṇa-bhāva), showing the supremacy of Linga-centered worship as a means of grace.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva appears as Pati—the sovereign Lord whose ordinance (vidhi) carries irresistible spiritual authority; before that lordship, even powerful gods fall silent, indicating reverence and the dissolution of egoic assertion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights strict adherence to Śiva’s puja-vidhi (regulated worship). In Shaiva terms, such disciplined practice supports the loosening of pāśa (bondage) and alignment of the paśu (soul) toward Pati through devotion and surrender.