Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
युद्धप्रसङ्गः—देवगणयुद्धे शिवविष्णुसंयोगः / Battle Episode—Śiva–Viṣṇu Convergence in the Devas’ Conflict
तमप्यपातयद्भूमौ परिघेण गणेश्वरः । हताः पंच तथा हस्ताः पञ्चभिश्शूलमाददे
tamapyapātayadbhūmau parigheṇa gaṇeśvaraḥ | hatāḥ paṃca tathā hastāḥ pañcabhiśśūlamādade
তখন গণেশ্বর লৌহ-পরিঘ দিয়ে তাকেও ভূমিতে ফেলে দিল। তার পাঁচটি হাত কেটে পড়ল; অবশিষ্ট পাঁচ হাতে সে ত্রিশূল ধারণ করে যুদ্ধ চালিয়ে গেল।
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It highlights unwavering resolve in dharma: even when strength is diminished, one continues one’s righteous duty—symbolically teaching the devotee steadiness (dhairya) and one-pointed commitment to Shiva’s order.
The verse presents Saguna-divinity in action—Shiva’s divine retinue led by Gaṇeśa upholds cosmic order. Such narratives support bhakti toward the manifest Lord, which in Shaiva Siddhanta purifies the soul and prepares it for Shiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is steadfast japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) during adversity, combined with calm, disciplined worship (e.g., offering bilva leaves) to cultivate inner strength and devotion.