Shloka 4

गणसमागमः (Śiva Summons the Gaṇas for the Great Festival)

Devanagari script

अभ्यगाच्छंखकर्णश्च गणकोट्या गणेश्वरः । शिवेन सार्द्धं संगन्तुं हिमाचलपुरम्प्रति

Transliteration

abhyagācchaṃkhakarṇaśca gaṇakoṭyā gaṇeśvaraḥ | śivena sārddhaṃ saṃgantuṃ himācalapuramprati

Translation

随后，名为商迦迦耳那（Śaṅkhakarṇa）的伽内自在前来，率领一俱胝（koṭi，一亿）湿婆伽那，为与大自在天湿婆同往喜摩遮罗之城。

Word by Word

• अभ्यगात्: came/approached
• अभ्यगात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि+गम् (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist/Imperfective past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शंखकर्णः: Śaṅkhakarṇa
• शंखकर्णः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंख + कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘शंखस्य कर्णः’/one having conch-like ears as name)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• गणकोट्या: with a crore of gaṇas
• गणकोट्या: Sahakari (सहकारी/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण + कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘गणानां कोटिः’/a crore of gaṇas); साधन/सहचर्ये—‘with a crore of gaṇas’

• गणेश्वरः: the lord of the gaṇas
• गणेश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘गणानाम् ईश्वरः’/lord of the gaṇas)

• शिवेन: with Śiva
• शिवेन: Sahakari (सहकारी/With)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• सार्द्धम्: together with
• सार्द्धम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Accompaniment marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सार्द्धम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक (adverb meaning ‘together/along with’)

• संगन्तुम्: to meet/go together
• संगन्तुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+गम् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive); ‘to go/meet/assemble’

• हिमाचलपुरम्: to the city of Himācala
• हिमाचलपुरम्: Karma (कर्म/Goal as object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिमाचल + पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘हिमाचलस्य पुरम्’/city of Himācala)

• प्रति: towards
• प्रति: Dik (दिक्/Direction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय/उपसर्ग)
• Form: अव्यय; दिशार्थक उपपद (towards)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shaṅkhakarṇa
• Gaṇas
• Himācala (Himālaya)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It highlights Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) moving with His gaṇas—symbolizing that divine grace and order accompany Him; the devotee is reminded that approaching sacred realms (like Himācala) is best done in the company of Śiva’s presence and service (sevā).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The verse portrays Saguna Śiva—personally journeying with His attendants—supporting Purāṇic devotion where the formless Absolute is worshiped through Śiva’s manifest form, His līlā, and His divine entourage, which strengthens bhakti and reverence in Linga-centered worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to begin pilgrimages or worship with Śiva-smaraṇa and gaṇa-pūjā in spirit—chanting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and maintaining a sevā-bhāva (attitude of service) while moving toward sacred places.