Shloka 46
शिवस्य सैन्यप्रयाणम् तथा गणपतिनामावलिः (Śiva’s Mobilization for War and the Catalogue of Gaṇa Commanders)
भूतप्रेतपिशाचाश्च कूष्माण्डा ब्रह्मराक्षसाः । वेताला राक्षसाश्चैव यक्षाश्चैव सकिन्नराः
bhūtapretapiśācāśca kūṣmāṇḍā brahmarākṣasāḥ | vetālā rākṣasāścaiva yakṣāścaiva sakinnarāḥ
There were bhūtas, pretas, and piśācas; kūṣmāṇḍas and brahma-rākṣasas; and also vetālas, rākṣasas, yakṣas, and kinnaras as well.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
By listing bhūtas, pretas, piśācas and other fierce beings, the text underscores that even chaotic and fear-inducing forces are ultimately within the cosmic order overseen by Shiva; the devotee is guided to replace fear with refuge in Pati (Shiva), who governs all classes of beings.
In Shaiva Purāṇic theology, Saguna Shiva (often worshipped as the Linga) is the accessible Lord who protects devotees from disturbances and fear; the presence of such beings in the narrative highlights the need for steady Shiva-centric devotion and remembrance amid turbulence.
A practical takeaway is fearlessness through Shiva-smaraṇa: japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), along with Shaiva protective disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa-dhāraṇa, to cultivate steadiness and spiritual protection.