Shloka 7

Devas Praise Śiva; Gaṇeśa Manifests as Vighneśvara and Receives the Primacy of Worship

Devanagari script

ततस्तदा निशम्य वै पिनाकधृक् सुरेश्वरः गणेश्वरं सुरेश्वरं वपुर्दधार सः शिवः

Transliteration

tatastadā niśamya vai pinākadhṛk sureśvaraḥ gaṇeśvaraṃ sureśvaraṃ vapurdadhāra saḥ śivaḥ

Translation

അത് കേട്ടപ്പോൾ പിനാകധാരിയായ ദേവേശ്വരൻ ശിവൻ ഗണേശ്വരനായി—ഗണങ്ങളുടെ അധിപതി, ദേവാധിദേവൻ—എന്ന ദേഹരൂപം ധരിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• tadā: at that time

• niśamya: having heard/listened

• vai: indeed

• pinākadhṛk: the bearer of the Pināka bow (Śiva)

• sureśvaraḥ: Lord of the devas

• gaṇeśvaram: Gaṇeśvara, Lord of the gaṇas/hosts

• sureśvaram: (as) the Lord of the devas/overlord

• vapuḥ: body, form

• dadhāra: assumed, took up

• saḥ: he

• śivaḥ: Śiva

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganesha (as Gaṇeśvara epithet/context)

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as the self-willed Pati who can assume any form for cosmic governance and grace—an idea foundational to Linga worship, where the Linga signifies Śiva’s formless yet manifest presence.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as sovereign and free (svatantra): the Pināka-bearing Lord, ruler of devas, who deliberately takes on a specific form (vapuḥ) to direct the hosts and uphold dharma.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily signals anugraha (bestowal of grace) through manifestation; in Pāśupata-oriented practice, this supports dhyāna on Śiva as both nirguṇa (beyond form) and saguṇa (assumable form) during pūjā and japa.