Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
भवंतो द्वारपालाश्च द्वारपोहं कथं न हि । भवंतश्च स्थितास्तत्राऽहं स्थितोत्रेति निश्चितम्
bhavaṃto dvārapālāśca dvārapohaṃ kathaṃ na hi | bhavaṃtaśca sthitāstatrā'haṃ sthitotreti niścitam
“Kamu semua ialah para penjaga pintu, dan aku juga penjaga pintu—bagaimana mungkin selain demikian? Kamu ditempatkan di sana, dan aku ditempatkan di sini; hal ini sungguh pasti.”
Sanatkumara (Kumāra)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse highlights disciplined humility and role-clarity in sacred service: even exalted beings accept duty at the threshold, reflecting Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis that liberation matures through devoted seva and right conduct under Shiva’s order.
Gatekeeping symbolizes protecting the sanctity of Saguna Shiva worship—maintaining purity, order, and reverence around the Linga and the Lord’s abode—so that devotees approach with bhakti rather than ego or distraction.
It implies disciplined temple-like conduct: guarding the “inner doorway” through japa (especially Panchākṣarī—Om Namaḥ Śivāya), mental restraint, and maintaining purity (such as respectful use of bhasma/tripuṇḍra) before entering worship.