Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
शिवगणा ऊचुः । किं कर्तव्यं क्व गंतव्यं माक्रियते स न किं पुनः । मर्यादा रक्ष्यतेऽस्माभिरन्यथा किं ब्रवीति च
śivagaṇā ūcuḥ | kiṃ kartavyaṃ kva gaṃtavyaṃ mākriyate sa na kiṃ punaḥ | maryādā rakṣyate'smābhiranyathā kiṃ bravīti ca
শিবগণ বলল—কী করণীয়, আর কোথায় যাব? তিনি তো কিছুই করেন না; তবে আর কী করা যায়? আমরা শিষ্টাচারের সীমা রক্ষা করছি; নইলে তিনি আমাদের কী বলতেন?
Śivagaṇas (attendants of Lord Śiva)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It highlights maryādā (right order and restraint) as a form of devotion: Śiva’s gaṇas see their duty as protecting dharma and acting only within Śiva’s will, reflecting disciplined service (seva) rather than impulsive action.
In Saguna worship, devotion is expressed through obedience and regulated conduct; the gaṇas embody this by guarding boundaries and awaiting Śiva’s directive—mirroring how devotees approach the Liṅga with prescribed rules, purity, and reverence.
A takeaway is disciplined sādhana: keep vrata-niyamas (self-restraints), maintain purity and respectful limits in worship, and repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with the attitude of humble service rather than ego-driven action.