Shloka 13
वीरभद्रस्य गमनप्रस्थानम् — Vīrabhadra’s Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
डाकिनी शाकिनी चैव भूतप्रमथगुह्यकाः । कूष्मांडाः पर्पटा श्चैव चटका ब्रह्मराक्षसाः
ḍākinī śākinī caiva bhūtapramathaguhyakāḥ | kūṣmāṃḍāḥ parpaṭā ścaiva caṭakā brahmarākṣasāḥ
Dākinīs and Śākinīs were there, and likewise the hosts of spirits—Pramathas and Guhyakas—together with Kūṣmāṇḍas, Parpaṭas, Caṭakas, and Brahma-rākṣasas (Brahmin-ghosts), forming that fierce retinue.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: Enumerates liminal beings (ḍākinī/śākinī, pramatha, guhyaka, etc.) as part of the destructive entourage; emphasizes Śiva’s lordship over bhūta-gaṇas and the unseen worlds.
Significance: Serves as a reminder that all classes of beings—seen and unseen—are under Śiva’s governance; inspires protective rites (rakṣā) and humility toward the adhidaivika realm.
Cosmic Event: Chthonic/cremation-ground atmosphere implied by the roster of spirits; a ‘night-side’ mobilization before the yajña’s fall.
FAQs
The verse lists fearsome classes of beings to show that even terrifying forces are within Rudra’s cosmic order; for a devotee rooted in Shiva-bhakti, fear is transformed into reverence for the Lord who governs all beings.
It highlights Saguna Shiva as the Lord with hosts (gaṇas) and powers who protects devotees; Linga-worship centers the mind on Shiva as Pati, before whom all spirits and energies stand subordinated.
A practical takeaway is protective japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—along with Śiva-pūjā using bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and, where customary, Rudrākṣa for steadiness and inner fearlessness.