Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 52
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
मातॄणामप्यनुक्तानामनुक्ताश्चाप्सरोवराः । रत्नाद्रूपाणि ताश्चक्रुस्स्वविद्यासंयुता अनु
mātṝṇāmapyanuktānāmanuktāścāpsarovarāḥ | ratnādrūpāṇi tāścakrussvavidyāsaṃyutā anu
अनुक्ता अपि मातरः तथा अनुक्ताश्च वराप्सरसः । स्वस्वविद्यासमायुक्ताः रत्नाद्रूपाणि तदा चक्रुः ॥
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.