Shloka 17
शिवस्य सैन्यप्रयाणम् तथा गणपतिनामावलिः (Śiva’s Mobilization for War and the Catalogue of Gaṇa Commanders)
अग्निकश्शत कोट्या च कोट्याग्निमुख एव च । आदित्यो ह्यर्द्धकोट्या च तथा चैवं घनावहः
agnikaśśata koṭyā ca koṭyāgnimukha eva ca | ādityo hyarddhakoṭyā ca tathā caivaṃ ghanāvahaḥ
There were Agnis numbering a hundred crores, and likewise hosts with a crore of fiery mouths. The Ādityas were fifty millions in number; and in the same way the cloud-bearers, bringers of rain, were present in vast multitudes.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Type: rudram
Cosmic Event: Elemental/cosmic forces (Agni, Āditya, cloud-bearers) are marshaled, suggesting a universe-wide mobilization of tattvic powers.
FAQs
It emphasizes the immeasurable scale of cosmic forces, implying that even countless Deva-hosts remain within Shiva’s higher sovereignty (Pati), encouraging refuge in Shiva rather than reliance on finite powers.
By showing that Agni, Āditya and other powers are vast yet enumerated, the text indirectly points to Saguna Shiva (worshipped as the Liṅga) as the Lord who transcends and governs all such manifested energies.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while contemplating Shiva as the inner ruler of all elemental powers (fire, sun, clouds), cultivating fearlessness and devotion.