Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
द्वन्द्वयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Duel-Combats
समरायोद्यतश्चाभूत्पुनर्गजमुखो विभुः । प्रहस्य जघ्नतुः क्रोधात्तोत्रेणैव महाद्विपम्
samarāyodyataścābhūtpunargajamukho vibhuḥ | prahasya jaghnatuḥ krodhāttotreṇaiva mahādvipam
Wiederum wurde der mächtige Herr mit Elefantengesicht ganz kampfbereit. Dann schlug er, lachend und im Zorn, den großen Elefanten nieder—als Waffe diente ihm allein der Elefantenhaken.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The verse highlights divine mastery: the elephant-faced Lord (Gaṇeśa) needs no elaborate arsenal—his inner śakti is sufficient. In Shaiva thought, true power is disciplined power, used to restore dharma with minimal means.
Gaṇeśa’s battle-readiness and effortless victory reflect Saguna Shiva’s compassionate governance through His divine retinue. Worship of the Liṅga honors the transcendent Pati, while devotion to Gaṇeśa acknowledges the same Shiva-tattva operating in accessible, protective forms.
A practical takeaway is disciplined japa for steadiness in conflict—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—combined with mindful restraint of krodha (anger), so one acts firmly yet minimally for dharma.