Shloka 12
देव-गण-समरः
Devas and Śiva’s Gaṇas Engage in Battle
इन्द्राद्यैर्लोकपालैश्च गणाश्शंभो पराङ्मुखाः । कृत्ताश्च मुनिशार्दूल भृगोर्मंत्रबलेन च
indrādyairlokapālaiśca gaṇāśśaṃbho parāṅmukhāḥ | kṛttāśca muniśārdūla bhṛgormaṃtrabalena ca
ఓ మునిశార్దూలా! ఇంద్రుడు మొదలైన లోకపాలులు శంభువుని గణాలను వెనక్కు తిప్పారు; భృగువు మంత్రబలంతో వారు చీల్చబడి కూలిపోయారు.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Satī-Khaṇḍa account)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Type: rudram
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Demonstration of mantra-śakti operating within māyā/karma: even Śiva’s gaṇas can be checked when the narrative requires concealment and later grace
FAQs
It highlights mantra-bala (spiritual power of sacred sound) and the limits of mere force: even Śiva’s gaṇas can be made to withdraw when the narrative requires a dharmic unfolding, showing that divine līlā operates through law, austerity, and ordained outcomes.
The verse contrasts external power (devas and mantras) with the deeper truth of Śiva as Pati: in Saguna worship of Śiva-Liṅga, devotees seek refuge beyond conflict—recognizing that all powers, including mantra efficacy, ultimately rest in Śiva’s sovereignty.
It underscores disciplined japa and mantra-sādhana: practitioners may take up pañcākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with purity, bhasma (tripuṇḍra), and steady devotion—valuing inner transformation over displays of power.