Shloka 32
वीरभद्रस्य गमनप्रस्थानम् — Vīrabhadra’s Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
विरूपाक्षश्च कोटीनां चतुःषष्ट्या गणेश्वरः । तालकेतुः षडास्यश्च पंचास्यश्च गणाधिपः
virūpākṣaśca koṭīnāṃ catuḥṣaṣṭyā gaṇeśvaraḥ | tālaketuḥ ṣaḍāsyaśca paṃcāsyaśca gaṇādhipaḥ
Among the gaṇas, Virūpākṣa is the lord of crores of attendants; and the Gaṇeśvara of sixty-four groups is also praised. Tālaketu, Ṣaḍāsya (“six-faced”), and Pañcāsya (“five-faced”) are likewise commanders—lords of the gaṇas.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, describing Śiva’s gaṇas in Satīkhaṇḍa)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: destructive
FAQs
It emphasizes Śiva’s cosmic sovereignty expressed through his gaṇas: innumerable divine attendants organized under chiefs. In Śaiva understanding, reverence for Śiva includes honoring his divine order (gaṇa-maṇḍala), which supports dharma and protects devotees.
Liṅga worship centers on Śiva as the supreme Pati; the gaṇas are his functional powers and attendants in the saguna manifestation. Remembering them alongside the Liṅga reinforces devotion to Śiva’s living presence as Lord with attributes, entourage, and protective governance.
A practical takeaway is gaṇa-smaraṇa with Śiva-mantra japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—while applying bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and maintaining devotional humility, seeking Śiva’s protection through his gaṇa-chiefs.