Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
गणैर्जितास्ते प्रबलैरसुरा विमुखा रणे । पलायनपरा जाता व्यथिता व्यग्रमानसाः
gaṇairjitāste prabalairasurā vimukhā raṇe | palāyanaparā jātā vyathitā vyagramānasāḥ
Von Śivas mächtigen Gaṇas überwältigt, wandten sich jene Asuras im Kampf ab. Nur auf die Flucht bedacht, wurden sie gequält und erschüttert, ihr Geist geriet in Aufruhr.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It shows how adharma, when confronted by Shiva’s divine order (the gaṇas), collapses into fear and confusion—symbolizing the soul’s agitation when it resists Pati (Shiva) and His grace.
The gaṇas represent Saguna Shiva’s active protection in the world; worship of the Linga cultivates surrender and steadiness, replacing the ‘vyagra-manas’ (restless mind) with devotion and inner refuge in Shiva.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to calm fear and mental agitation, along with simple Shaiva discipline such as applying bhasma (tripuṇḍra) as a reminder of Shiva’s protection and detachment.