Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 69
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
महामहोत्सवो जातस्तस्मिन्नह्नि मुनीश्वर । हर्षमापुर्जनास्सर्वे काशीस्थाः प्रमथास्तथा
mahāmahotsavo jātastasminnahni munīśvara | harṣamāpurjanāssarve kāśīsthāḥ pramathāstathā
ఓ మునీశ్వరా, ఆ దినమే మహామహోత్సవం ఏర్పడింది. కాశీలో నివసించే సమస్త జనులు హర్షించారు; ప్రమథగణములు కూడా ఆనందించారు।
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Gajasamhāramūrti
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī rejoices after Śiva’s triumph; the kṣetra’s celebratory response functions as a māhātmya motif reinforcing Kāśī as Śiva’s own city where His protection and grace are immediately experienced.
Significance: Participation in utsava and remembrance of Śiva’s līlā in Kāśī is framed as merit-giving and stabilizing (svāsthya) for society—an outward sign of inner restoration through devotion.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse portrays how Śiva’s presence and divine events naturally manifest as auspicious celebration, indicating that closeness to Śiva (especially in Kāśī) ripens the hearts of beings into joy and devotion—an outer festival reflecting an inner awakening toward Pati (Śiva).
Kāśī is traditionally revered as Śiva’s sacred realm where Saguna Śiva is intimately accessible to devotees; the rejoicing of the residents and Pramathas suggests that worship of Śiva—often centered on the Liṅga—creates a sanctifying atmosphere where the divine retinue and devotees alike participate in Śiva’s grace.
The takeaway is communal and devotional celebration around Śiva—practically expressed through Liṅga-pūjā, chanting the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and maintaining Śaiva marks such as bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) as a sign of alignment with Śiva’s presence.