Shloka 38
गणसमागमः (Śiva Summons the Gaṇas for the Great Festival)
तत्र भूतगणा दिव्या विरूपः कोटिशो मुने । विराजन्ते स्म बहुशस्तथा नानाविधास्तदा
tatra bhūtagaṇā divyā virūpaḥ koṭiśo mune | virājante sma bahuśastathā nānāvidhāstadā
तत्र भूतगणा दिव्या विरूपाः कोटिशो मुने। विराजन्ते स्म बहुशो नानाविधा इव तदा॥
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: Not a specific Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse depicts Śiva’s retinue (bhūtagaṇa/rudragaṇa) as part of the sacred yātrā narrative atmosphere.
Significance: Darśana/śravaṇa of Śiva’s gaṇas in Purāṇic narration is framed as increasing bhakti and awe (adbhuta-bhaya-miśra), supporting yātrā-śraddhā.
FAQs
The verse highlights the vast, ordered retinue of Lord Shiva—countless divine attendants of varied forms—indicating Shiva’s lordship (Pati) over all classes of beings and the awe-inspiring scope of His saguna manifestation in the cosmos.
By depicting Shiva’s hosts as “divine” and “resplendent,” the text supports saguna worship: devotees approach the Linga as Shiva’s accessible form, while recognizing that His power naturally expresses itself through innumerable ganas who uphold His presence and sacred space.
A practical takeaway is cultivating fearlessness and reverence during Shiva worship—mentally offering salutations to Shiva and His ganas while chanting the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and maintaining purity with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa as aids to steady devotion.