Shloka 53

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

देवत्वं वा पितृत्वं वा देवराजत्वमेव च गाणपत्यपदं वापि सक्तो ऽपि लभते नरः

Transliteration

devatvaṃ vā pitṛtvaṃ vā devarājatvameva ca gāṇapatyapadaṃ vāpi sakto 'pi labhate naraḥ

Translation

即便是凡人，若对湿婆坚固奉爱（bhakti），也会随其所系之心而得——天神之位、祖灵（Pitṛ）之阶，乃至天帝之王权，或入湿婆诸伽那（Gaṇa）之尊贵位次。

Word by Word

• देवत्वम्: divinity, godhood

• वा: or

• पितृत्वम्: the status of a Pitṛ (ancestral being)

• देवराजत्वम्: lordship as Devarāja (Indra-like sovereignty)

• एव: indeed

• च: and

• गाणपत्यपदम्: the post/state of being among the Gaṇas (Śiva’s attendants)

• वा अपि: or even

• सक्तः: attached, devoted, intent

• अपि: even

• लभते: attains, obtains

• नरः: a man, human being

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the phala of Śiva-bhakti to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas
• Pitrs
• Ganas
• Indra

FAQs

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

It functions as a phala-śruti: it declares that sincere attachment to Śiva (expressed through liṅga-pūjā and bhakti) yields tangible spiritual elevations—ranging from deva-like states up to becoming a member of Śiva’s Gaṇas.

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

By presenting even the highest divine offices as outcomes granted through devotion, the verse implies Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who dispenses all ranks and states, while the pashu (individual soul) rises by aligning its intent with Him.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The emphasis is on steady bhakti/āsakti toward Śiva—typically sustained through liṅga-arcana (worship), mantra-japa, and Pāśupata-oriented discipline that weakens pāśa (bondage) and elevates the pashu toward Śiva’s proximity (gaṇa-pada).