Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32

वीरभद्रस्य गमनप्रस्थानम् — Vīrabhadra’s Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

विरूपाक्षश्च कोटीनां चतुःषष्ट्या गणेश्वरः । तालकेतुः षडास्यश्च पंचास्यश्च गणाधिपः

Transliteration

virūpākṣaśca koṭīnāṃ catuḥṣaṣṭyā gaṇeśvaraḥ | tālaketuḥ ṣaḍāsyaśca paṃcāsyaśca gaṇādhipaḥ

Translation

Unter den Gaṇas ist Virūpākṣa der Herr über Koṭis von Gefolgsleuten; und auch der Gaṇeśvara von vierundsechzig Scharen wird gepriesen. Tālaketu, Ṣaḍāsya («sechsgesichtig») und Pañcāsya («fünfgesichtig») sind gleichermaßen Befehlshaber—Herren der Gaṇas.

Word by Word

• virūpa-akṣaḥ: Virūpākṣa (odd-eyed; name)
• virūpa-akṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: virūpa (विरूप) + akṣa (अक्ष)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: ‘yasya virūpe akṣī/akṣāṇi saḥ’

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• koṭīnām: of crores
• koṭīnām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: koṭī (कोटि प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• catuḥ-ṣaṣṭyā: with sixty-four
• catuḥ-ṣaṣṭyā: Sahakāraka (सह/सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catuḥ (चतुः) + ṣaṣṭi (षष्टि)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); dvigu numeral ‘sixty-four’ (with/along with)

• gaṇa-īśvaraḥ: lord of the gaṇas
• gaṇa-īśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṇa (गण) + īśvara (ईश्वर)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘gaṇānām īśvaraḥ’

• tāla-ketuḥ: Tālaketu (name)
• tāla-ketuḥ: Karta (कर्ता; listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāla (ताल) + ketu (केतु)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘tālaḥ ketuḥ iva/ yasya ketuḥ tālaḥ’ (name)

• ṣaḍ-āsyaḥ: six-faced one
• ṣaḍ-āsyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣaṭ (षट्) + āsya (आस्य)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: ‘yasya ṣaḍ āsyāni saḥ’

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• pañca-āsyaḥ: five-faced one
• pañca-āsyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pañca (पञ्च) + āsya (आस्य)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: ‘yasya pañca āsyāni saḥ’

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• gaṇa-adhipaḥ: lord of the gaṇas
• gaṇa-adhipaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṇa (गण) + adhipa (अधिप)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘gaṇānām adhipaḥ’

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, describing Śiva’s gaṇas in Satīkhaṇḍa)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Virupaksha
• Talaketu
• Shadasya
• Panchasya

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It emphasizes Śiva’s cosmic sovereignty expressed through his gaṇas: innumerable divine attendants organized under chiefs. In Śaiva understanding, reverence for Śiva includes honoring his divine order (gaṇa-maṇḍala), which supports dharma and protects devotees.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Liṅga worship centers on Śiva as the supreme Pati; the gaṇas are his functional powers and attendants in the saguna manifestation. Remembering them alongside the Liṅga reinforces devotion to Śiva’s living presence as Lord with attributes, entourage, and protective governance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is gaṇa-smaraṇa with Śiva-mantra japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—while applying bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and maintaining devotional humility, seeking Śiva’s protection through his gaṇa-chiefs.