Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 69
भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast
ततः सनारायणकास्सरुद्राः सलोकपालास्समरे सुरौघाः । गणेंद्रचापच्युतबाणविद्धाः प्रदुद्रुवुर्गाढरुजाभिभूताः
tataḥ sanārāyaṇakāssarudrāḥ salokapālāssamare suraughāḥ | gaṇeṃdracāpacyutabāṇaviddhāḥ pradudruvurgāḍharujābhibhūtāḥ
Kemudian, dalam pertempuran itu, bala tentera para dewa—bersama Nārāyaṇa, para Rudra dan para penjaga alam—apabila terkena anak panah yang dilepaskan dari busur Gaṇeśa, mereka pun lari bertempiaran, ditundukkan oleh kesakitan yang amat dahsyat.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya in the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Battle narrative motif: the devas (even with Nārāyaṇa and Rudras) are overpowered by Gaṇeśa’s martial force, underscoring Śiva’s gaṇa-śakti and the supremacy of Śaiva order in cosmic conflict.
Significance: Supports gaṇapati-upāsanā within Śaiva frame: honoring Gaṇeśa as Gaṇeśvara/Gaṇendra (Śiva’s commander) removes obstacles and grants protection; also warns against opposing Śiva’s will.
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: Deva-asura style cosmic battle episode (samara) within purāṇic time; no specific calendrical marker stated.
FAQs
It underscores a Shaiva Siddhanta theme: all cosmic powers (devas, Lokapālas, even great divine hosts) are limited and can be overruled by Shiva’s order and his śakti-manifestations—here, Gaṇeśa—teaching surrender (śaraṇāgati) to Pati rather than pride in delegated power.
Gaṇeśa functions as a visible (saguṇa) expression of Shiva’s governance. The episode supports linga-centered devotion by showing that the highest refuge is Shiva as Pati—worshiped in the linga—while other divine offices operate within his cosmic sovereignty.
A practical takeaway is to begin worship with Gaṇeśa and then anchor the mind in Shiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), cultivating humility and protection from ego-driven conflict (an inner ‘battle’).