Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 60
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
भवंतश्च गणा लोके युद्धे चाति विशारदाः । मदीयाश्च कथं युद्धं हित्वा यास्यथ लाघवम्
bhavaṃtaśca gaṇā loke yuddhe cāti viśāradāḥ | madīyāśca kathaṃ yuddhaṃ hitvā yāsyatha lāghavam
তোমরা গণেরা জগতে যুদ্ধে অতিশয় দক্ষ বলে প্রসিদ্ধ। আর তোমরা তো আমারই অনুচর—তবে যুদ্ধ ত্যাগ করে এমন হালকাভাবে কীভাবে চলে যাবে?
Lord Śiva (addressing his Gaṇas in the Kumārakhaṇḍa battle-context narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse emphasizes steadiness (dhairya) and fidelity to dharma: Śiva’s Gaṇas, as devotees and servants of Pati (the Lord), should not abandon their rightful duty out of fear or wavering. In Shaiva understanding, true devotion expresses itself as firm alignment with Śiva’s will.
Here Śiva appears as Saguna—personally guiding and correcting his attendants. Worship of the Liṅga trains the devotee toward unwavering devotion and discipline, mirroring the Gaṇas’ ideal: not to turn away from duty when the Lord’s command is clear.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of steadiness—maintaining one’s sādhana without “lāghava” (inconstancy). If practiced, apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and/or wear Rudrākṣa as reminders of resolve and Śiva-bhakti.