Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
देव-गण-समरः
Devas and Śiva’s Gaṇas Engage in Battle
देवान्यक्षान् साध्यगणान् गुह्यकान् चारणानपि । शूलघातैश्च सर्वे गणा वेगात् प्रजघ्निरे
devānyakṣān sādhyagaṇān guhyakān cāraṇānapi | śūlaghātaiśca sarve gaṇā vegāt prajaghnire
அப்போது சிவனின் எல்லா கணங்களும் த்ரிசூலத் தாக்குதல்களால் வேகமாக தேவர்கள், யக்ஷர்கள், சாத்யகணங்கள், குஹ்யகர்கள், சாரணர்களையும் தாக்கி வீழ்த்தினர்।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It shows that when adharmic opposition arises—even among celestial ranks—Śiva’s śakti manifests through the Gaṇas to restore order, humbling pride and re-establishing reverence for Pati (Śiva) as the supreme Lord.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva’s protective sovereignty: His attendants act as instruments of His will. In Liṅga worship, devotees approach the same Lord as the compassionate ruler whose power subdues ego and safeguards dharma.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of surrender—replacing pride with devotion and inner discipline.