Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
शिवस्य सैन्यप्रयाणम् तथा गणपतिनामावलिः (Śiva’s Mobilization for War and the Catalogue of Gaṇa Commanders)
तालकेतुः षडास्यश्च पंचास्यश्च प्रतापवान् । संवर्तकस्तथा चैत्रो लंकुलीशस्स्वयं प्रभुः
tālaketuḥ ṣaḍāsyaśca paṃcāsyaśca pratāpavān | saṃvartakastathā caitro laṃkulīśassvayaṃ prabhuḥ
S’y trouvaient Tālketu, Ṣaḍāsya et le vaillant Paṃcāsya; ainsi que Saṃvartaka et Caitra; et Laṅkulīśa lui-même—le Seigneur.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Laṅkulīśa is remembered as the staff-bearing teacher who systematizes Pāśupata observance; here he appears among the gaṇa-leaders, implying Śiva’s grace operating through guru-embodiments even amid conflict.
Significance: Remembrance of Laṅkulīśa functions as guru-smṛti: aligning with Śiva’s path (pāśupata-vrata) is framed as a means to Śiva’s favor.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse lists powerful attendants/leaders associated with Lord Shiva, emphasizing that Shiva’s divine order operates through innumerable śaktis and gaṇas—reinforcing devotion (bhakti) and awe toward Saguna Shiva as the sovereign who commands cosmic forces.
Remembering Shiva along with his gaṇas and revered manifestations (such as Laṅkulīśa) supports Saguna-upāsanā: the devotee approaches the Linga not as an abstract symbol alone, but as the living Lord surrounded by his divine retinue and protective powers.
A practical takeaway is nāma-smaraṇa (remembrance of Shiva’s names/forms) alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and offering vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) as a sign of surrender to the Lord who leads and protects.