Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

उमास्वयंवरः / भवोद्वाहः, गणसमागमः, अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम्, तथा विनायक-उत्पत्तिसूचना

Devanagari script

अभ्ययुः शङ्खवर्णाश् च गणकोट्यो गणेश्वराः दशभिः केकराक्षश् च विद्युतो ऽष्टाभिर् एव च

Transliteration

abhyayuḥ śaṅkhavarṇāś ca gaṇakoṭyo gaṇeśvarāḥ daśabhiḥ kekarākṣaś ca vidyuto 'ṣṭābhir eva ca

Translation

Pagkaraan, sumulong ang mga panginoon ng Gaṇa—di mabilang hanggang sa mga krore—kabilang ang mga pulutong na puti gaya ng banal na kabibe (śaṅkha), si Abhyayu at iba pa; at naroon din si Kekarākṣa na may sampung pangkat, at si Vidyut na may walong pangkat lamang.

Word by Word

• अभ्ययुः: Abhyayu (a named Gaṇa-chief)

• शङ्खवर्णाः: conch-white, luminous in complexion

• च: and

• गणकोट्यः: crores of Gaṇas (innumerable hosts)

• गणेश्वराः: Gaṇa-lords, commanders of Shiva’s attendants

• दशभिः: with ten (groups/companies)

• केकराक्षः: Kekarākṣa (a named Gaṇa-chief)

• च: and

• विद्युतः: Vidyut (a named Gaṇa-chief, ‘Lightning’)

• अष्टाभिः: with eight (groups/companies)

• एव: indeed/alone/emphatically

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganas
• Abhyayu
• Kekarākṣa
• Vidyut

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It situates Linga-centered Shaiva theology within Shiva’s living cosmos: the Gaṇas are the Lord’s functional powers (śakti-vyūhas) that safeguard sacred space and uphold the discipline surrounding Shiva’s worship.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By presenting innumerable Gaṇa-lords moving under command, the verse implies Shiva as Pati—supreme sovereign whose will organizes vast hosts, indicating mastery over cosmic functions and protection of devotees (pashus) from pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this line; it supports a Puja-Vidhi subtext where invoking Shiva includes honoring his gaṇas as guardians—aligning with Pāśupata discipline that begins with reverence, protection, and orderly approach to the Lord.