Shloka 58
राहोर्विमोचनानन्तरं जलन्धरस्य सैन्योद्योगः — Rahu’s Aftermath and Jalandhara’s Mobilization
भग्नां गणभयाद्दैत्यसेनां दृष्ट्वातिमर्षिताः । निशुंभशुंभौ सेनान्यौ कालनेमिश्च चुक्रुधुः
bhagnāṃ gaṇabhayāddaityasenāṃ dṛṣṭvātimarṣitāḥ | niśuṃbhaśuṃbhau senānyau kālanemiśca cukrudhuḥ
Seeing the Daitya host shattered in fear of Śiva’s gaṇas, Niśumbha and Śumbha—their commanders—together with Kālanemi, blazed with exceeding wrath.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it is a battlefield moment where Śiva’s gaṇas function as instruments of divine dissolution of adharma.
FAQs
It highlights how adharma collapses when confronted by Śiva’s divine order (the gaṇas). The demons’ immediate response—anger—shows the Shaiva teaching that ego reacts with rage when its power is broken, whereas alignment with Pati (Śiva) brings steadiness and protection.
The gaṇas function as Saguna Śiva’s active, protective force in the world—his manifest governance of dharma. Linga-worship affirms Śiva as the supreme Pati whose grace and authority subdue chaotic forces, just as his hosts rout the Daityas here.
As an antidote to anger and fear, the practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and, if practiced, rudrākṣa-dhāraṇa, cultivating inner composure under Śiva’s protection.