Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
शिवागमन-नाद-समागमः (Śiva’s Advent, the Drum-Sound, and the Cosmic Assembly)
अशनिर्भानुकश्चैव चतुष्षष्ट्या सनातनः । नंदीश्वरो गणाधीशः शतकोट्या महाबलः
aśanirbhānukaścaiva catuṣṣaṣṭyā sanātanaḥ | naṃdīśvaro gaṇādhīśaḥ śatakoṭyā mahābalaḥ
Und auch Aśanirbhānuka war da, zusammen mit dem Ewigen unter den vierundsechzig (Hauptbegleitern). Nandīśvara, der Herr der Gaṇas, besaß gewaltige Kraft—gleich hundert Koṭis.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Cosmic Event: Sṛṣṭi-kathā framing: manifestation/organization of Śiva’s gaṇas within the creation narrative
FAQs
The verse glorifies Śiva’s Gaṇas—especially Nandīśvara—as embodiments of steadfast devotion and divine capability. In a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, honoring Śiva’s attendants reinforces bhakti and humility: proximity to Pati (Śiva) is attained through reverence for His divine community and disciplined service.
Nandīśvara is inseparable from Saguna Śiva worship: Nandī stands as the foremost devotee and gatekeeper of Śiva’s presence, often positioned facing the Liṅga. Remembering Nandī and the Gaṇas frames Liṅga worship as entering Śiva’s sacred order (gaṇa-dharma) with devotion, purity, and reverence.
A practical takeaway is to begin Śiva-pūjā by saluting Nandī (Nandī-prāṇāma) and cultivating gaṇa-bhāva—devotional service and discipline. If following Śaiva practice, combine this with pañcākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and, where customary, Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa as supports for steadiness in worship.