Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
देवपराजयः — शङ्करशरणागमनं स्कन्दकालीयुद्धं च | Devas’ Defeat, Refuge in Śaṅkara, and the Battle of Skanda and Kālī
क्षणेन चेतनां प्राप्य समुत्तस्थौ गणेश्वरः । जग्राह च धनुर्भूयो वीरभद्रो गणाग्रणीः
kṣaṇena cetanāṃ prāpya samuttasthau gaṇeśvaraḥ | jagrāha ca dhanurbhūyo vīrabhadro gaṇāgraṇīḥ
En un instant, le Seigneur des Gaṇas reprit connaissance et se releva. Et Vīrabhadra, chef éminent des troupes de Śiva, saisit de nouveau son arc.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights the resilience granted by Śiva’s grace: even when struck down, the devotee-host (Gaṇeśa) rises again, and dharmic force (Vīrabhadra leading the gaṇas) reasserts itself—showing that divine will ultimately restores order.
Vīrabhadra and Gaṇeśa act as manifestations of Saguna Śiva’s protective power—Śiva worship is not only contemplative but also the living force that safeguards devotees and dharma when adharma becomes aggressive.
The takeaway is steadiness in japa and surrender: maintain Panchākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and inner composure after setbacks—rising again with devotion, as the gaṇas do in service to Śiva.