Shloka 10
Gaṅgā-Avataraṇa and the Naming of Gaṅgādvāra (गङ्गावतरणम्—गङ्गाद्वारप्रसिद्धिः)
सूत उवाच । ततो वाणी समुत्पन्ना गंगाया व्योममंडलात् । तच्छृणुध्वमृषिश्रेष्ठा गंगावचनमुत्तमम्
sūta uvāca | tato vāṇī samutpannā gaṃgāyā vyomamaṃḍalāt | tacchṛṇudhvamṛṣiśreṣṭhā gaṃgāvacanamuttamam
സൂതൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അപ്പോൾ വ്യോമമണ്ഡലത്തിൽ നിലകൊണ്ട ഗംഗയിൽ നിന്നൊരു വാണി ഉദിച്ചു. ഹേ ഋഷിശ്രേഷ്ഠന്മാരേ, ഗംഗയുടെ ആ ഉത്തമ വചനം ശ്രവിക്കുവിൻ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Sthala Purana: Gaṅgā’s disembodied voice arises from the ‘vyoma-maṇḍala’ (sky-sphere), a hierophany marking the tīrtha as a liminal meeting-point of earthly and divine realms.
Significance: Hearing (śravaṇa) of tīrtha-māhātmya and divine utterance is itself meritorious; the verse frames Gaṅgā’s forthcoming instruction/boon as authoritative revelation.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It sanctifies śravaṇa (devout listening) as a means of grace: the narrative signals that Gaṅgā’s words are divinely sourced and worthy of attentive reception, preparing the mind for Shiva-tattva and pilgrimage-related merit.
In the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā, such announcements typically introduce teachings connected to Jyotirliṅga glory and tīrtha-mahātmyas—supporting Saguna Shiva worship through reverent hearing of the Lord’s manifested signs and sacred geographies.
Practice attentive śravaṇa and manana (listening and reflective contemplation) of Shiva Purana recitation; as a simple complement, mentally repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while listening.