Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 45
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
सख्युवाच । सम्यक्कृतं त्वया भद्र बलात्ते प्रविशंतु न । भवदग्रे गणा ह्येते किं जयंतु भवादृशम्
sakhyuvāca | samyakkṛtaṃ tvayā bhadra balātte praviśaṃtu na | bhavadagre gaṇā hyete kiṃ jayaṃtu bhavādṛśam
সখা বলল—ভদ্র, তুমি যথার্থই করেছ। তারা বলপূর্বক এখানে প্রবেশ না করুক। এই গণেরা তোমার সম্মুখে দাঁড়িয়ে; তোমার মতো বীরকে তারা কীভাবে জয় করবে?
Sakhī (a female companion/friend in the narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It highlights steadfastness in dharma and fearlessness: even Shiva’s powerful gaṇas cannot prevail over one who stands rightly and without arrogance, implying that true strength aligns with cosmic order under Pati (Shiva).
The gaṇas represent Saguna Shiva’s active governance of the world—His protective and corrective power. Devotion to Shiva (as Linga/Saguna) includes reverence for His divine retinue and acceptance of His discipline and grace.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate inner steadiness through japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and to approach conflict with restraint—avoiding ‘force’ (balāt) while remaining established in Shiva-bhakti.