Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 2
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
गणेशोऽपि तथा दृष्ट्वा ह्यायातान्गणसत्तमान् । युद्धाऽऽटोपं विधायैव स्थितांश्चैवाब्रवीदिदम्
gaṇeśo'pi tathā dṛṣṭvā hyāyātāngaṇasattamān | yuddhā''ṭopaṃ vidhāyaiva sthitāṃścaivābravīdidam
ഗണേശനും ആ ശ്രേഷ്ഠ ഗണങ്ങൾ വരുന്നതു കണ്ട ഉടൻ യുദ്ധസന്നാഹം സ്വീകരിച്ചു; ദൃഢമായി നിന്നുകൊണ്ട് അവരോട് ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the episode; the direct speech is by Gaṇeśa)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It shows vigilant steadfastness (dhairya) in the face of confrontation: even a revered deity like Gaṇeśa adopts disciplined readiness, implying that devotion to Shiva is expressed through alert, dharmic action—not passivity.
The verse highlights Shiva’s personal realm (saguṇa) through His gaṇas and divine attendants; devotion to the Liṅga is not separate from honoring Shiva’s order and cosmic governance manifested through His retinue and commands.
The takeaway is steadiness and readiness of mind: one may cultivate this through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with focused posture, and by maintaining Śaiva discipline (such as tripuṇḍra/bhasma and restrained conduct) before undertaking challenging duties.