Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
इत्युक्तस्तैस्सुसंकुद्धो हस्ताभ्यां यष्टिकां तदा । गृहीत्वा ताडयामास गणांस्तान्परिभाषिणः
ityuktastaissusaṃkuddho hastābhyāṃ yaṣṭikāṃ tadā | gṛhītvā tāḍayāmāsa gaṇāṃstānparibhāṣiṇaḥ
Así increpado por ellos, se enfureció sobremanera; y entonces, tomando un bastón con ambas manos, comenzó a golpear a aquellos Gaṇas que habían hablado con insolencia.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva ethic that insolence and disrespect (aparādha) toward Śiva’s attendants and devotees invites immediate karmic reaction; it teaches humility and disciplined speech as supports for bhakti and inner purification.
In Saguna Śiva worship, honoring Śiva includes honoring His Gaṇas and devotees; reverence and right conduct are treated as part of upacāra (devotional service) to the Liṅga, while contempt is viewed as a breach of devotional discipline.
A practical takeaway is to adopt speech-restraint (mauna/saṃyama) and daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to purify anger and arrogance, cultivating respectful devotion toward Śiva and His followers.