Shloka 19
सतीदेव्याः योगमार्गेण देहत्यागः — Satī’s Yogic Abandonment of the Body
गणास्संमंत्र्य ते सर्वेऽभूवन् क्रुद्धा उदायुधाः । कुर्वन्तः प्रलयं वाद्यशस्त्रैर्व्याप्तं दिगंतरम्
gaṇāssaṃmaṃtrya te sarve'bhūvan kruddhā udāyudhāḥ | kurvantaḥ pralayaṃ vādyaśastrairvyāptaṃ digaṃtaram
ఆ గణులందరు పరస్పరంగా సంప్రదించి క్రోధించి ఆయుధాలు ఎత్తిరి. యుద్ధవాద్యాల గర్జనతోను ఆయుధాల మెరుపుతోను దిక్కులన్నీ నింపి, ప్రళయదృశ్యమును సృష్టించిరి.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Satī-khaṇḍa account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: pralaya-simile (battle-noise likened to dissolution)
FAQs
The verse portrays the Gaṇas as Śiva’s divine power in action—when dharma and devotion are threatened, the Lord’s attendants manifest an overwhelming force likened to pralaya. In a Śaiva Siddhānta reading, this is not blind destruction but protective, restoring right order under Pati (Śiva).
The Gaṇas’ fierce readiness highlights Saguna Śiva’s lordship (aiśvarya) and guardianship of His devotees. Linga-worship centers on taking refuge in Śiva as Pati—who both bestows grace and restrains disorder through His śakti and attendants.
The practical takeaway is to seek inner steadiness amidst ‘pralaya-like’ agitation by japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and remembrance of Śiva as protector; if following Shiva Purana ritual culture, this is supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to focus and devotion.