Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
शिव उवाच । रेरे गणाः क्लीबमता न वीरा वीरमानिनः । मदग्रे नोदितुं योग्या भर्त्सितः किं पुनर्वदेत्
śiva uvāca | rere gaṇāḥ klībamatā na vīrā vīramāninaḥ | madagre nodituṃ yogyā bhartsitaḥ kiṃ punarvadet
শিব বললেন— হে গণগণ! তোমরা ভীরু, নপুংসক-স্বভাব; বীর নও, কেবল বীর বলে নিজেকে মানো। আমার সম্মুখে কথা বলার যোগ্য নও; তিরস্কৃত হলে আবার কী বলবে?
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
It warns against false valor rooted in ego. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, true “vīratā” is humility and alignment with Pati (Shiva); prideful speech and self-importance collapse when confronted by divine authority and dharma.
Saguna Shiva here acts as the disciplining Lord who corrects His attendants. For devotees, Linga-worship trains the same surrender—restraining arrogance, speaking truthfully, and accepting Shiva’s guidance as grace (anugraha).
A practical takeaway is disciplined speech and humility during japa—especially Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—paired with repentance (kṣamā-yācanā) and steadiness in vrata/pujā rather than boastful display.