Shloka 17
ऋषयश्चापि देवाश्ष गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा । लिड्रमेवार्चयन्ति सम यत् तदूर्ध्व समास्थितम्
ṛṣayaś cāpi devāś ca gandharvāpsarasas tathā | liṅgam evārcayanti sama yat tad ūrdhvaṃ samāsthitam ||
वायुरुवाच—ऋषयश्चापि देवाश्च गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा। ऊर्ध्वलोके प्रतिष्ठितं तदेव लिङ्गमर्चयन्ति॥
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the highest orders of beings—sages, gods, Gandharvas, and Apsarases—honor Śiva through liṅga-worship; sincere devotion (bhakti) is presented as a universally revered dharmic practice that draws divine grace and well-being.
Vāyudeva is describing the cosmic reverence shown to an exalted, higher-realm Śiva-liṅga, emphasizing that worship of it is performed by celestial and sage communities, and that such worship pleases Maheśvara, who then bestows happiness upon devotees.