Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 33
शुक्रनिग्रहः — The Seizure/Neutralization of Śukra (Kāvya) and the Daityas’ Despondency
प्रमथा प्रबला वीराश्शंकरस्य गणा निजाः । चुक्रुधुस्समरं चक्रुर्विचित्रं च महाबलाः
pramathā prabalā vīrāśśaṃkarasya gaṇā nijāḥ | cukrudhussamaraṃ cakrurvicitraṃ ca mahābalāḥ
عندئذٍ غضب البرامَثا—وهم أبطالٌ أشدّاء، غَناتُ شَنْكَرَةَ الخاصّة حقًّا—وبقوّةٍ عظيمة أشعلوا قتالًا ضاريًا عجيبًا.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights Śaṅkara’s gaṇas as extensions of his śakti in saguna form—protective forces that arise when dharma and devotion are threatened—reminding the devotee that the Lord’s grace can manifest as both compassion and fierce protection.
It underscores saguna Śiva as the living Lord who acts in the world: just as the Liṅga is worshipped as Śiva’s tangible presence, the gaṇas represent his active, protective presence within the cosmic order and within the devotee’s spiritual life.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and to maintain Śaiva marks like tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa as reminders of Śiva’s protection and inner courage during spiritual संघर्ष (struggle).