Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 52
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
मातॄणामप्यनुक्तानामनुक्ताश्चाप्सरोवराः । रत्नाद्रूपाणि ताश्चक्रुस्स्वविद्यासंयुता अनु
mātṝṇāmapyanuktānāmanuktāścāpsarovarāḥ | ratnādrūpāṇi tāścakrussvavidyāsaṃyutā anu
ଯେ ମାତୃଦେବୀମାନେ ନାମେ ଅନୁକ୍ତ ଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଅପ୍ସରାମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଅନୁକ୍ତ ଥିଲେ, ସେମାନେ ସ୍ୱସ୍ୱ ଦିବ୍ୟବିଦ୍ୟାରେ ଯୁକ୍ତ ହୋଇ ରତ୍ନସଦୃଶ ରୂପ ଧାରଣ କଲେ।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: destructive
FAQs
It shows that even exalted celestial beings (Mātṛkās and Apsarās) operate through limited powers (vidyās) that can transform appearances; in Shaiva Siddhānta, such powers are secondary and ultimately dependent on the Supreme Lord (Śiva) who alone grants liberation beyond all transformations.
The verse highlights mutable, power-born forms, whereas the Śiva-liṅga is worshipped as the stable, auspicious locus of Saguna Śiva—reminding devotees to seek the Lord who transcends and governs all manifested powers rather than being captivated by wondrous displays.
A practical takeaway is to prioritize Śiva-upāsanā over fascination with siddhis: steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and a sattvic, focused mind, treating extraordinary powers as distractions unless aligned with devotion and dharma.