मदनदाहः — पार्वतीतपः, स्वयंवरलीला, देवस्तम्भनं, दिव्यचक्षुर्दानम्
मूढास्थ देवताः सर्वा नैव बुध्यत शङ्करम् देवदेवम् इहायान्तं सर्वदेवनमस्कृतम्
mūḍhāstha devatāḥ sarvā naiva budhyata śaṅkaram devadevam ihāyāntaṃ sarvadevanamaskṛtam
Segala dewa, berdiri dalam kekeliruan, tidak mengenali Śaṅkara—Devadeva—yang telah datang ke sana, Dia yang kepada-Nya semua dewa menunduk menyembah.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It establishes Śiva as Devadeva—worthy of reverence even by the gods—so Linga worship is directed to the supreme Pati, not merely to a cosmic deity among others.
Śiva is presented as Devadeva, universally saluted, yet not easily recognized when beings are clouded by moha; this implies Shiva-tattva transcends ordinary perception and is known when pasha (bondage) is removed.
The key practice implied is the overcoming of delusion through Shaiva discipline—Pashupata-oriented purification and devotion—so the pashu (soul) gains right recognition (pratyabhijñā-like insight) of Pati.