Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
केचिच्च पतिताभूमौ केचिच्च विदिशो गताः । केषांचिच्चरणौ छिन्नौ केचिच्छर्वान्तिकं गताः
kecicca patitābhūmau kecicca vidiśo gatāḥ | keṣāṃciccaraṇau chinnau keciccharvāntikaṃ gatāḥ
Some fell upon the ground; some fled in various directions. Of some, their feet were severed; and some went to the very presence of Śarva (Lord Śiva)—that is, they met their end and passed into His proximity.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, describing the battlefield events)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
Beyond describing battlefield ruin, the verse points to Śiva as the final refuge (Pati): even amid chaos, beings ultimately move toward Him—some through death—highlighting the Shaiva view that the Lord remains the ultimate end and shelter of all.
By naming Śiva as Śarva and stressing “going to His presence,” it supports Saguna devotion: the devotee worships Śiva (often as the Liṅga) as the accessible Lord whose nearness grants protection, purification, and the highest destiny.
Takeaway: cultivate constant Śiva-smaraṇa through the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and reinforce it with daily Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa—so that at life’s crisis or death, the mind naturally turns to Śiva.