Shloka 7
शिवस्य सैन्यप्रयाणम् तथा गणपतिनामावलिः (Śiva’s Mobilization for War and the Catalogue of Gaṇa Commanders)
विरूपो विकृतिश्चैव मणिभद्रश्च बाष्कलः । कपिलाख्यो दीर्घदंष्द्रो विकरस्ताम्रलोचनः
virūpo vikṛtiścaiva maṇibhadraśca bāṣkalaḥ | kapilākhyo dīrghadaṃṣdro vikarastāmralocanaḥ
“(Among Śiva’s attendants were) Virūpa, Vikṛti, Maṇibhadra and Bāṣkala; also Kapila, Dīrgha-daṃṣṭra (the long-fanged one), Vikara, and Tāmra-locana (the copper-eyed one).”
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya within the Rudra Saṃhitā, Yuddhakhaṇḍa context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
The verse sanctifies remembrance of Śiva’s gaṇas—divine attendants embodying awe-inspiring aspects of Śiva’s power—showing that the Lord’s protection and cosmic order are upheld through innumerable forms serving the Saguna manifestation of Śiva.
While Liṅga worship points to Śiva’s supreme reality, this gaṇa-list highlights Saguna Śiva’s manifest lordship: devotees honor not only the Liṅga as the central symbol but also Śiva’s divine entourage as expressions of His sovereign presence in the world.
A simple practice is nāma-smaraṇa (recollection of names): recite Śiva’s names and, when studying the Purāṇa, remember His gaṇas as guardians; pair it with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” for steadiness of mind and devotion.