Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 59
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
केवलं षण्मुखस्तत्र नापलायत विक्रमी । महावीरस्तदा सर्वानावार्य पुरतः स्थितः
kevalaṃ ṣaṇmukhastatra nāpalāyata vikramī | mahāvīrastadā sarvānāvārya purataḥ sthitaḥ
అక్కడ పరాక్రమశాలైన షణ్ముఖుడు మాత్రమే పారిపోలేదు. ఆ మహావీరుడు అప్పుడు అందరినీ ఆపి, ముందుభాగంలో స్థిరంగా నిలిచాడు।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It presents steadfastness (dhairya) as a dharmic virtue empowered by divine purpose—Ṣaṇmukha, as Shiva’s commander, embodies unwavering resolve that protects others and upholds righteous order.
Ṣaṇmukha’s fearlessness is understood as arising from dependence on Saguna Shiva (Pati) and His śakti; devotion to Shiva (often through Liṅga worship) is portrayed as the inner source of stability and protection in संकट (crisis).
The practical takeaway is steadiness in japa and worship—especially pañcākṣarī mantra japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with disciplined focus—cultivating inner courage and restraint like the verse’s ‘holding back’ and ‘standing firm’.