गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
मातॄणामप्यनुक्तानामनुक्ताश्चाप्सरोवराः । रत्नाद्रूपाणि ताश्चक्रुस्स्वविद्यासंयुता अनु
mātṝṇāmapyanuktānāmanuktāścāpsarovarāḥ | ratnādrūpāṇi tāścakrussvavidyāsaṃyutā anu
即便是那些未被点名的诸母神,以及同样未被提及的卓越天女阿普萨罗,当时也凭各自的秘法神通,化现为如宝珠与珍贵物质般的形相。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: destructive
It shows that even exalted celestial beings (Mātṛkās and Apsarās) operate through limited powers (vidyās) that can transform appearances; in Shaiva Siddhānta, such powers are secondary and ultimately dependent on the Supreme Lord (Śiva) who alone grants liberation beyond all transformations.
The verse highlights mutable, power-born forms, whereas the Śiva-liṅga is worshipped as the stable, auspicious locus of Saguna Śiva—reminding devotees to seek the Lord who transcends and governs all manifested powers rather than being captivated by wondrous displays.
A practical takeaway is to prioritize Śiva-upāsanā over fascination with siddhis: steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and a sattvic, focused mind, treating extraordinary powers as distractions unless aligned with devotion and dharma.