Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 17
ऋषयश्चापि देवाश्ष गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा । लिड्रमेवार्चयन्ति सम यत् तदूर्ध्व समास्थितम्
ṛṣayaś cāpi devāś ca gandharvāpsarasas tathā | liṅgam evārcayanti sama yat tad ūrdhvaṃ samāsthitam ||
风神伐由说道：“诸仙、诸天，以及乾闼婆与阿普萨罗，皆礼拜那同一林伽——安立于上界者。”此偈昭示：即便尊贵卓绝之众，也以林伽供奉来敬礼湿婆；如此恭敬的归依使摩诃提婆欢喜，而这位怜爱信众的主宰，便赐予他们安泰与喜乐。
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the highest orders of beings—sages, gods, Gandharvas, and Apsarases—honor Śiva through liṅga-worship; sincere devotion (bhakti) is presented as a universally revered dharmic practice that draws divine grace and well-being.
Vāyudeva is describing the cosmic reverence shown to an exalted, higher-realm Śiva-liṅga, emphasizing that worship of it is performed by celestial and sage communities, and that such worship pleases Maheśvara, who then bestows happiness upon devotees.