Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 38
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
इंद्रादिकान्देवगणान् षण्मुखप्रवरान् गणान् । भूतप्रेतपिशाचांश्च सर्वानादेशयत्तदा
iṃdrādikāndevagaṇān ṣaṇmukhapravarān gaṇān | bhūtapretapiśācāṃśca sarvānādeśayattadā
তখন তিনি ইন্দ্র প্রমুখ দেবগণকে, ষণ্মুখ (কার্ত্তিকেয়) নেতৃত্বাধীন শ্রেষ্ঠ গণসমূহকে, এবং ভূত-প্রেত-পিশাচ সকলকেই আদেশ দিলেন।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Kumārakhaṇḍa account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It portrays divine governance: all classes of beings—devas, gaṇas, and spirit-hosts—move under a higher command, reflecting the Shaiva Siddhanta principle that cosmic order functions through the Lord’s (Pati’s) will and delegated authority.
The verse highlights Saguna administration of the cosmos: Shiva’s manifested power operates through chosen leaders (like Ṣaṇmukha) and attendant gaṇas, reminding devotees that Linga-worship honors the supreme source from whom all authority and protection flow.
A practical takeaway is disciplined obedience to dharma through Shiva-centered devotion—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with calm focus, supported by traditional Shaiva aids like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa for steadiness and protection.