Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27
द्वन्द्वयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Duel-Combats
एवं नन्दी कार्तिकेयो विकटश्च प्रतापवान् । वीरभद्रो गणाश्चान्ये जगर्जुस्समरेऽधिकम्
evaṃ nandī kārtikeyo vikaṭaśca pratāpavān | vīrabhadro gaṇāścānye jagarjussamare'dhikam
Maka demikianlah Nandī, Kārtikeya, Vikaṭa yang gagah perkasa, Vīrabhadra serta para Gaṇa yang lain mengaum lebih dahsyat di medan perang—menzahirkan kuasa yang garang lagi melindungi dari bala Śiva ketika mereka mara untuk menegakkan dharma.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The roar of Nandī, Kārtikeya, Vīrabhadra and the Gaṇas symbolizes the awakened śakti of Śiva’s dharmic protection—when devotion aligns with Pati (Śiva), obstacles and adharma are confronted without fear.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva—Śiva as the Lord with attendants and powers. Worship of the Liṅga is worship of that same Śiva, whose living presence is expressed through His Gaṇas that safeguard devotees and cosmic order.
A practical takeaway is to steadiness in bhakti through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and adopting Śaiva marks like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of Śiva’s protective presence.