Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 41
कोटिकोटिभिरेवैकः कुंडकः कुंभकस्तथा । विष्टंभोऽष्टाभिरेवेह गणपः सर्वसत्तमः
koṭikoṭibhirevaikaḥ kuṃḍakaḥ kuṃbhakastathā | viṣṭaṃbho'ṣṭābhireveha gaṇapaḥ sarvasattamaḥ
Kuṃḍaka alone was accompanied by crores upon crores, and so too was Kuṃbhaka. Here Viṣṭambha came with eight companies—a gaṇapa, the best among all beings.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), narrating to the sages
Scene: Kuṃḍaka and Kuṃbhaka appear as towering gaṇa-lords with endless ranks behind them like waves; Viṣṭambha, the eminent gaṇapa, arrives with eight companies, depicted as a stabilizing, ‘supporting’ force (stambhana imagery).
FAQs
Greatness in the Śaiva cosmos is measured by service and spiritual stature—gaṇa leaders embody disciplined devotion.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the emphasis is on Śiva’s retinue.
None.