Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

तेषां गणानां सर्वेषां संख्यानं शृणु नारद । महाबलवतां संघोमुख्यानां धैर्यशालिनाम्

Transliteration

teṣāṃ gaṇānāṃ sarveṣāṃ saṃkhyānaṃ śṛṇu nārada | mahābalavatāṃ saṃghomukhyānāṃ dhairyaśālinām

Translation

O Nārada, hear the count of all those Gaṇas—those foremost leaders of the hosts, endowed with great strength and steadfast courage.

Word by Word

तेषाम्of them

गणानाम्of the troops

सर्वेषाम्of all

संख्यानम्the number/count

शृणुhear/listen

नारदO Nārada

महाबलवताम्of the very strong

संघोमुख्यानाम्of the chiefs of the hosts

धैर्यशालिनाम्of the steadfast/courageous

Speaker

Brahmā

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

Narada

Shiva (implied through 'Gaṇas')

Ganas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the ordered, conscious power of Śiva’s divine retinue: the Gaṇas are not merely mythic beings, but symbols of steadfast dharma, courage, and service to Pati (Śiva), reflecting how the devotee’s faculties become aligned in disciplined devotion.

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

By describing the mighty leaders of Śiva’s hosts, the text emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Śiva as Lord with attributes, attendants, and governance. In Liṅga worship, this supports bhakti toward Śiva as the supreme Pati who commands cosmic order and is approached through reverence and surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is gaṇa-smaraṇa with japa: recite the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") while contemplating steadfast courage (dhairya) and service to Śiva, optionally wearing Rudrākṣa and applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) to cultivate devotion and inner firmness.