Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 10
अत्रीश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Atrīśvara-māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Atrīśvara”
अहं गंगा समायाता भजनात्ते शुचिस्मिते । वशीभूता ह्यहं जाता यदिच्छसि वृणीष्व तत्
ahaṃ gaṃgā samāyātā bhajanātte śucismite | vaśībhūtā hyahaṃ jātā yadicchasi vṛṇīṣva tat
我乃恒河女神伽ṅgā。因你虔诚礼拜，纯净微笑者，我来到此处。确然，我已顺从你的意愿——你所愿求者，尽可择取那一份恩赐。
Ganga (Gaṅgā-devī)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Frames Gaṅgā’s accessibility as a fruit of Śiva-bhajana; suggests tīrtha-sannidhya and boon-bestowal as grace responding to devotion.
Shakti Form: Gaurī
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse emphasizes bhakti as a compelling spiritual force: sincere worship draws divine grace, and even a great sacred power like Gaṅgā responds in service to the devotee’s dharmic intention—reflecting Shaiva Siddhanta’s stress on grace (anugraha) meeting devotion.
In Jyotirlinga-centered narratives, sanctifying presence (like Gaṅgā) supports Saguna worship—abhisheka, tīrtha, and purity—through which devotees approach Shiva’s accessible form, while ultimately pointing toward Shiva as the supreme Pati who grants liberation.
The verse implies the efficacy of devotional worship leading to sanctification: perform Shiva-linga abhiṣeka with pure water (ideally Gaṅgā-jala), accompanied by japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” maintaining inner and outer purity.