Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 4
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
गणेश उवाच । यूयं के कुत आयाता भवंतस्सुन्दरा इमे । यात दूरं किमर्थं वै स्थिता अत्र विरोधिनः
gaṇeśa uvāca | yūyaṃ ke kuta āyātā bhavaṃtassundarā ime | yāta dūraṃ kimarthaṃ vai sthitā atra virodhinaḥ
ಗಣೇಶನು ಹೇಳಿದರು—“ನೀವು ಯಾರು? ಎಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಬಂದಿರಿ? ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಸುಂದರರು ಯಾರು? ದೂರ ಹೋಗಿರಿ; ಯಾವ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ವಿರೋಧಿಗಳಾಗಿ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದೀರಿ?”
Ganesha
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
This verse shows Gaṇeśa acting as a dharmic gatekeeper—questioning identity and intent before allowing passage. In Shaiva thought, such discernment protects sacred space and supports the soul’s movement toward right action (dharma), which is foundational for grace (anugraha) and liberation.
Gaṇeśa, as Shiva’s son and a foremost gaṇa, represents Saguna Shiva’s protective governance of the world—maintaining order around sacred rites and divine purposes. The verse reflects the idea that approaching Shiva (often via the Liṅga and puja) requires purity of intention and removal of obstructive opposition.
A practical takeaway is to begin worship by invoking Gaṇeśa for obstacle-removal and clarity of intent—then proceed with Shiva-upāsanā such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and mindful self-inquiry: “Who am I, and why have I come?”