Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 41
अन्तराय-उपसर्ग-विवेचनम् / Analysis of Yogic Obstacles (Antarāyas) and Upasargas
तत्पौरुषं च गौणं च गणेशं पदमैश्वरम् । विष्णुना तत्पदं किंचिज्ज्ञातुमन्यैर्न शक्यते
tatpauruṣaṃ ca gauṇaṃ ca gaṇeśaṃ padamaiśvaram | viṣṇunā tatpadaṃ kiṃcijjñātumanyairna śakyate
Kedudukan ilahi yang berdaulat itu—baik dalam makna utama maupun makna sekunder—adalah milik Gaṇeśa, prinsip Ketuhanan. Keadaan itu bahkan oleh Viṣṇu hanya dapat diketahui sebagian; oleh yang lain sama sekali tak dapat diketahui.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that the highest divine state is not fully grasped by ordinary cognition; it is a matter of lordly realization, approached through grace, devotion, and inner purification rather than mere reasoning.
By distinguishing primary and secondary understanding, the verse supports Saguna worship (forms and attributes) as a valid approach while pointing beyond it to the essential reality—ultimately realized through Shiva’s grace, with Gaṇeśa honored as the gateway to auspicious understanding.
Begin worship with Gaṇeśa-vandana, then steady the mind with japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and contemplative inquiry into the Lord’s sovereignty, recognizing the limits of intellect and relying on bhakti.