Shloka 53
गौतमविघ्नप्रकरणम्
Episode of Obstacles to Gautama; Gaṇeśa’s Appearing Through Misguided Worship
अथवा त्वं समानीय गंगास्नानं समाचर । पार्थिवानां तथा कोटिं कृत्वा देवं निषेवय
athavā tvaṃ samānīya gaṃgāsnānaṃ samācara | pārthivānāṃ tathā koṭiṃ kṛtvā devaṃ niṣevaya
Atau, bawalah air suci Gaṅgā dan lakukan mandi Gaṅgā; dan demikian juga, setelah membuat satu koṭi (sekor) liṅga tanah, beribadahlah serta berkhidmat kepada Tuhan (Śiva).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudrasaṃhitā teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The verse prescribes purification and merit through Gaṅgā-snāna and the Pārthiva-liṅga rite (clay liṅga-making). It functions as a general Śaiva expiatory/pilgrimage injunction rather than a specific Jyotirliṅga-māhātmya episode.
Significance: Gaṅgā-water bath and intensive Pārthiva-liṅga worship are presented as powerful means of pāpa-kṣaya and eligibility for Śiva’s grace (anugraha), aligning with Siddhānta’s stress on śuddhi (purification) as a prerequisite for higher realization.
FAQs
The verse teaches prāyaścitta and upliftment through sacred purification (Gaṅgā-snāna) and intense devotion (Parthiva-liṅga worship), directing the seeker toward Śiva’s grace as the liberating Pati.
By prescribing the making of earthen liṅgas and worshipping the Deva, it emphasizes Saguna-upāsanā—approaching Śiva in an accessible form (liṅga) to cultivate bhakti and receive anugraha (divine grace).
It suggests Gaṅgā-snāna (or bathing with Gaṅgā-water) and Parthiva-liṅga pūjā—creating many clay liṅgas and worshipping Śiva, typically supported by mantra-japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offerings.