Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 2
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
शिवगणा ऊचुः । कोऽसि त्वं कुत आयातः किं वा त्वं च चिकीर्षसि । इतोऽद्य गच्छ दूरं वै यदि जीवितुमिच्छसि
śivagaṇā ūcuḥ | ko'si tvaṃ kuta āyātaḥ kiṃ vā tvaṃ ca cikīrṣasi | ito'dya gaccha dūraṃ vai yadi jīvitumicchasi
శివగణులు పలికిరి—“నీవెవరు? ఎక్కడి నుండి వచ్చితివి, ఏమి చేయదలచితివి? జీవించదలచితే ఈ రోజు వెంటనే ఇక్కడి నుండి దూరంగా వెళ్లిపో।”
Śivagaṇas (attendants of Lord Śiva)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Type: stotra
FAQs
It shows the protective, dharma-guarding role of Śiva’s gaṇas: sacred space around the Lord is not approached with hostility or ego, and arrogance meets firm restraint—hinting that devotion and right intention are prerequisites for grace.
The gaṇas act as guardians of the Lord’s manifest (saguṇa) presence and sanctity; approaching Śiva (whether as Liṅga or personal Lord) requires reverence, purity of aim, and surrender rather than aggression.
A practical takeaway is to approach Śiva with humility—begin worship with purification and remembrance of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and maintain a non-violent, surrendered intent before entering sacred worship.