Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
तावद्गर्जसि मूर्ख त्वं यावद्गण पराक्रमः । नानुभूतस्त्वयात्रैव ह्यनुभूतः पतिष्यसि
tāvadgarjasi mūrkha tvaṃ yāvadgaṇa parākramaḥ | nānubhūtastvayātraiva hyanubhūtaḥ patiṣyasi
ഹേ മൂഢാ! ശിവഗണങ്ങളുടെ പരാക്രമം നീ ഇതുവരെ അനുഭവിച്ചിട്ടില്ലാത്തതുവരെ മാത്രമാണ് നീ ഗർജിക്കുന്നത്. ഇവിടെ തന്നേ, ഈ നിമിഷം, അത് സത്യമായി അനുഭവിച്ചാൽ നീ വീഴും.
A leader/voice among Shiva’s Gaṇas (Gaṇa addressing an arrogant opponent in the Kumāra-khaṇḍa battle-context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It warns that ego roars only until it meets the reality of Śiva’s śakti working through His Gaṇas; in Shaiva Siddhānta terms, pride (āṇava) collapses when confronted by the Lord’s protecting grace and the power of His devotees.
It highlights Saguna Śiva as the living protector of dharma: the Lord’s presence is not merely abstract, but acts through His gaṇas and attendants—reinforcing devotional refuge (śaraṇāgati) in Śiva and His sacred order.
A practical takeaway is to reduce ego through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and a rudrākṣa mala, cultivating humility and devotion rather than boastful speech.