Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37
दिव्यरथारोहणम् — Śiva’s Ascent on the Divine Chariot
Pre-battle Portents
शताक्षश्चैव पंचाक्षः सहस्राक्षो महोदरः । सतीजहुश्शतास्यश्च रंकः कर्पूरपूतनः
śatākṣaścaiva paṃcākṣaḥ sahasrākṣo mahodaraḥ | satījahuśśatāsyaśca raṃkaḥ karpūrapūtanaḥ
Il y avait aussi, dans l’affrontement, des membres puissants de la troupe de Śiva nommés Śatākṣa, Pañcākṣa, Sahasrākṣa et Mahodara ; de même Satījahu, Śatāsya, Raṅka et Karpūrapūtana, vaillants Gaṇas apparus au combat.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā war account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It emphasizes Shiva’s all-encompassing sovereignty: innumerable ganas with awe-inspiring forms serve the Pati (Lord Shiva), reminding devotees that divine order and protection operate through Shiva’s cosmic retinue.
Though the Linga points to Shiva’s transcendence (Nirguṇa), this verse highlights Saguna Shiva—His manifest power expressed through ganas—supporting devotional remembrance that the formless is also present as guiding, protective divine forces.
A practical takeaway is to pair japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bhāvanā of Shiva’s protective presence—invoking His guardianship, especially during Mahāśivarātri vrata, while maintaining humility and surrender.