Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
केचिच्च पतिताभूमौ केचिच्च विदिशो गताः । केषांचिच्चरणौ छिन्नौ केचिच्छर्वान्तिकं गताः
kecicca patitābhūmau kecicca vidiśo gatāḥ | keṣāṃciccaraṇau chinnau keciccharvāntikaṃ gatāḥ
May ilan ang bumagsak sa lupa; may ilan ang tumakas sa iba’t ibang panig. May ilan na naputulan ng paa; at may ilan ang napasa mismong harapan ni Śarva (Panginoong Śiva)—ibig sabihin, namatay at napasa Kanyang kalapitan.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, describing the battlefield events)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: liberating
FAQs
Beyond describing battlefield ruin, the verse points to Śiva as the final refuge (Pati): even amid chaos, beings ultimately move toward Him—some through death—highlighting the Shaiva view that the Lord remains the ultimate end and shelter of all.
By naming Śiva as Śarva and stressing “going to His presence,” it supports Saguna devotion: the devotee worships Śiva (often as the Liṅga) as the accessible Lord whose nearness grants protection, purification, and the highest destiny.
Takeaway: cultivate constant Śiva-smaraṇa through the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and reinforce it with daily Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa—so that at life’s crisis or death, the mind naturally turns to Śiva.