गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
तस्यौरसः सुतो बाणश्शिवभक्तो बभूव ह । मान्यो वदान्यो धीमांश्च सत्यसंधस्स हस्रदः
tasyaurasaḥ suto bāṇaśśivabhakto babhūva ha | mānyo vadānyo dhīmāṃśca satyasaṃdhassa hasradaḥ
அவனிடமிருந்து அவனுடைய இயற்பிறந்த மகன் பாணன் பிறந்தான்; அவன் நிச்சயமாக சிவபக்தனானான். அனைவராலும் மதிக்கப்படுபவன், தானசீலன், அறிவாளி, சத்தியவிரதன், ஆயிரம் தானங்களை அளிப்பவன் எனப் புகழ்பெற்றான்।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
It defines the qualities of a Śiva-bhakta: devotion to Śiva, steadfast truth, generosity, and honorable conduct—virtues that purify the bound soul (paśu) and make it receptive to Śiva’s grace (pati-anugraha).
Bāṇa is praised primarily as a devotee of Śiva (saguṇa upāsanā in Purāṇic context), implying that sincere worship of Śiva—often expressed through Liṅga devotion—should be accompanied by dharma: truthfulness, charity, and humility.
The verse points to bhakti expressed through satya and dāna; a practical takeaway is daily Śiva-smaraṇa with the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while cultivating truthful speech and charitable giving as part of one’s Śiva-vrata.