Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 11
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
घर्षयन्तस्तथा दंतान् हुंकृत्य च पुनःपुनः । पश्य पश्य ब्रुवंतश्च गणास्ते समुपागताः
gharṣayantastathā daṃtān huṃkṛtya ca punaḥpunaḥ | paśya paśya bruvaṃtaśca gaṇāste samupāgatāḥ
وهم يَصُرّون أسنانهم ويُطلِقون مرارًا صوت «هُمْ» الشديد، ويصيحون تكرارًا: «انظر! انظر!»، اندفع أولئك الغَنا—أتباع شيفا—مسرعين حتى حضروا أمامك.
Suta Goswami (narrating the events of the Kumārakhaṇḍa to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Mantra: huṃ (wrathful exclamation)
Role: destructive
FAQs
It depicts Śiva’s gaṇas as an extension of divine will—when dharma is threatened, the Lord’s protective energies manifest swiftly. In Śaiva understanding, this reinforces surrender to Pati (Śiva), who removes fear and obstruction for the devoted.
The gaṇas belong to Saguna Śiva’s living retinue—His manifest, approachable form that actively protects devotees and sacred order. Remembering such episodes strengthens personal devotion to the Liṅga as the accessible presence of Śiva in the world.
A practical takeaway is fearless japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while visualizing Śiva’s protective grace. If performing worship, maintain Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a steady bhakti mindset as inner protection against agitation and fear.