Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

Devas Praise Śiva; Gaṇeśa Manifests as Vighneśvara and Receives the Primacy of Worship

Devanagari script

विचित्रवस्त्रभूषणैर् अलंकृतो गजाननः महेश्वरस्य पुत्रको ऽभिवन्द्य तातम् अम्बिकाम्

Transliteration

vicitravastrabhūṣaṇair alaṃkṛto gajānanaḥ maheśvarasya putrako 'bhivandya tātam ambikām

Translation

Nabihisan ng kagila-gilalas na kasuotan at mga palamuti, ang Panginoong may mukhang elepante—anak ni Maheshvara (Shiva)—ay yumukod sa paggalang sa kanyang ama (Shiva) at kay Ambikā, ang Banal na Ina.

Word by Word

• विचित्र (vicitra): wondrous, variegated

• वस्त्र (vastra): garments

• भूषणैः (bhūṣaṇaiḥ): with ornaments

• अलंकृतः (alaṅkṛtaḥ): adorned

• गजाननः (gajānanaḥ): the elephant-faced one (Gaṇeśa)

• महेश्वरस्य (maheśvarasya): of Maheśvara (Śiva)

• पुत्रकः (putrakaḥ): son

• अभिवन्द्य (abhivandya): having bowed/saluted

• तातम् (tātam): father

• अम्बिकाम् (ambikām): Ambikā (Pārvatī, Śakti)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode within the Linga Purana’s Purva-Bhaga)

Characters & Entities

• Ganesha
• Shiva
• Ambika
• Maheshvara
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It models the essential pūrva-ācāra (preliminary conduct) of worship: first offering reverence to Pati (Śiva) together with Śakti (Ambikā), establishing right orientation before any Linga-pūjā.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the supreme Lord—whose grace is approached through humble salutation; Ambikā is acknowledged alongside him, indicating the inseparability of Śiva and Śakti in Shaiva Siddhānta understanding.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practice of abhivandana (reverential salutation) and vinaya (humility) is highlighted—foundational to bhakti and supportive of Pāśupata-oriented discipline that loosens pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (soul).