Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
युद्धप्रसङ्गः—देवगणयुद्धे शिवविष्णुसंयोगः / Battle Episode—Śiva–Viṣṇu Convergence in the Devas’ Conflict
अहो दुःखतरं नूनं संजातमधुना मम । भवेत्पुनर्गणानां किं भवाचारी जगाविति
aho duḥkhataraṃ nūnaṃ saṃjātamadhunā mama | bhavetpunargaṇānāṃ kiṃ bhavācārī jagāviti
அய்யோ! நிச்சயமாக இப்போது எனக்கு இன்னும் பெருந்துயரம் ஏற்பட்டது. மீண்டும் கணங்களுக்கென்ன ஆகும்?—என்று பவாசாரி கூறினான்.
Bhavācārī (a Gaṇa/devotee speaking within Sūta’s narration)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It shows the devotee’s anguish when dharma and the Lord’s attendants (Gaṇas) are threatened, highlighting bhakti as heartfelt dependence on Śiva even amid fear and uncertainty.
Concern for the Gaṇas implicitly points to Saguna Śiva—the Lord with attributes who protects His devotees and attendants; in Śaiva practice this protection is sought through worship of Śiva (often via the Liṅga) as the living refuge.
A practical takeaway is to steady grief through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and prayer for Śiva’s protection—core Shaiva disciplines when facing distress.