Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
द्वन्द्वयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Duel-Combats
अथ शुंभो गणेशश्च रथमूषक वाहनौ । युध्यमानौ शरव्रातैः परस्परमविध्यताम्
atha śuṃbho gaṇeśaśca rathamūṣaka vāhanau | yudhyamānau śaravrātaiḥ parasparamavidhyatām
Pagkaraan, si Śuṃbha at si Gaṇeśa—ang una’y nakasakay sa karwahe at ang ikalawa’y sa daga bilang sasakyang banal—ay nagpatuloy sa labanan, at sa sagupaan ay paulit-ulit na nagpalitan ng mga bugso ng palaso.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse portrays dharma-protection through Saguna divine action: Gaṇeśa confronts asuric arrogance (Śuṃbha), showing that the Lord’s grace operates even through battle to restrain adharma and restore right order.
In Shaiva tradition, Gaṇeśa is worshiped as the foremost gaṇa of Shiva and a gateway to Shiva’s grace; honoring him before Linga worship removes obstacles (vighna) so the devotee can approach Saguna Shiva with steadiness and devotion.
A practical takeaway is to begin Shiva-pūjā with Gaṇeśa-prārthanā and japa—especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to cultivate inner focus and overcome obstacles that arise like ‘volleys’ in spiritual practice.