Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

ज्वालाकेशो द्वादशभिः कोटिभिर् गणपुङ्गवः सप्तभिः समदः श्रीमान् दुन्दुभो ऽष्टाभिर् एव च

Transliteration

jvālākeśo dvādaśabhiḥ koṭibhir gaṇapuṅgavaḥ saptabhiḥ samadaḥ śrīmān dundubho 'ṣṭābhir eva ca

Translation

Si Jvālākēśa, ang pinakamarangal sa mga Gaṇa, ay sinasabing may labindalawang krore na mga tagasunod. Ang maringal na Samada ay may pitong krore; at si Dundubha naman ay may walong krore rin.

Word by Word

• ज्वालाकेशः (jvālākēśaḥ): Jvālākēśa (a chief of Shiva’s Gaṇas)

• द्वादशभिः (dvādaśabhiḥ): by twelve

• कोटिभिः (koṭibhiḥ): by crores (ten-millions)

• गणपुङ्गवः (gaṇapuṅgavaḥ): best/foremost among the Gaṇas

• सप्तभिः (saptabhiḥ): by seven

• समदः (samadaḥ): Samada (a Gaṇa leader)

• श्रीमान् (śrīmān): illustrious, splendid

• दुन्दुभः (dundubhaḥ): Dundubha (a Gaṇa leader)

• अष्टाभिः (aṣṭābhiḥ): by eight

• एव (eva): indeed/just so

• च (ca): and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Jvalakesha
• Samada
• Dundubha
• Ganas

FAQs

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

It magnifies Pati (Shiva) by portraying the vast, ordered hosts of his Gaṇas—reminding the worshipper that Linga-pūjā is communion with the Lord who governs innumerable divine forces.

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

By enumerating gaṇa-lords with immense followings, the verse points to Shiva as Pashupati—the supreme sovereign whose will sustains cosmic administration beyond human scale.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports gaṇa-smaraṇa and Pati-smaraṇa—devotional recollection used in Shaiva pūjā and Pāśupata-oriented contemplation, where one anchors the mind in Shiva’s lordship over all powers.