Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 69
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
त्वया कृत्वा महालीलां गणगर्वोऽपहारितः । अस्मै दत्त्वा बलं भूरि देवगर्वश्च शंकर
tvayā kṛtvā mahālīlāṃ gaṇagarvo'pahāritaḥ | asmai dattvā balaṃ bhūri devagarvaśca śaṃkara
O Śaṅkara, sa pagsasagawa mo ng dakilang līlā, napawi mo ang pagmamataas ng iyong mga gaṇa; at sa pagbibigay mo sa kanya ng saganang lakas, napigil mo rin ang kayabangan ng mga diyos.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages, describing Śiva’s līlā and its purpose)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that Śiva’s līlā is corrective and compassionate: He removes garva (ego) even from His own gaṇas, and He also restrains the pride of the devas—showing that spiritual authority belongs to Pati (Śiva) alone, and that humility is essential for grace.
It highlights Saguna Śiva as the active Lord who governs the cosmos through līlā—granting power where needed and curbing arrogance. In Liṅga-worship, the devotee approaches Śiva as the supreme regulator of all beings, seeking purification of ego and alignment with dharma.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a humility-vow (garva-tyāga), optionally with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders that strength should serve devotion, not ego.