Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 59
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
कृते चैवात्र कर्तव्यमिति नीतिर्गरीयसी । एकाकी स गणो बालः किं करिष्यति विक्रमम्
kṛte caivātra kartavyamiti nītirgarīyasī | ekākī sa gaṇo bālaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati vikramam
Здесь наилучшая политика такова: «что должно быть сделано — то и следует сделать». Тот гана одинок и всего лишь ребёнок; какой подвиг доблести он совершит в одиночку?
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kumārakhaṇḍa episode to the sages, conveying the on-scene reasoning of the characters)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It emphasizes kartavya (duty) guided by nīti (wise discernment): spiritual life is not mere impulse, but right action aligned with dharma—an attitude that supports steadiness (śiva-niṣṭhā) and ultimately liberation under Pati (Shiva) rather than egoic heroism.
The verse reflects the Shaiva ethic of disciplined conduct: devotion to Saguna Shiva (as Lord who commands and protects the gaṇas) is expressed through orderly, duty-based action. Such nīti supports purity and readiness for Linga-worship, where inner resolve and right conduct are integral to effective pūjā.
A practical takeaway is sankalpa with discernment: before japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) or applying tripuṇḍra-bhasma, one should set a clear intention to perform one’s duty calmly and rightly, avoiding rash action driven by pride.