Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 59
राहोर्विमोचनानन्तरं जलन्धरस्य सैन्योद्योगः — Rahu’s Aftermath and Jalandhara’s Mobilization
त्रयस्ते वरयामासुर्गणसेनां महाबलाः । मुंचंतश्शरवर्षाणि प्रावृषीव बलाहकाः
trayaste varayāmāsurgaṇasenāṃ mahābalāḥ | muṃcaṃtaśśaravarṣāṇi prāvṛṣīva balāhakāḥ
Ces trois puissants guerriers arrêtèrent l’élan de l’armée des Gaṇa, déversant des averses de flèches, tels des nuages de mousson porteurs de pluie.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it depicts the asuras’ tactical ‘checking’ of Śiva’s gaṇas—momentary concealment/obstruction before inevitable divine victory.
FAQs
It portrays how opposing forces can temporarily “check” even Śiva’s Gaṇa-host, yet the imagery emphasizes that worldly power is like a storm—intense but transient—while alignment with Pati (Śiva) remains the enduring refuge for the bound soul (paśu).
The Gaṇas represent Saguna Śiva’s protective and active presence in the world; remembering them supports Linga-worship by reinforcing faith that Śiva’s manifest power governs conflict and restores order, even when resistance appears overwhelming.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind in conflict by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while visualizing Śiva’s protective retinue; this cultivates courage and devotion (bhakti) rather than agitation.