Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 59
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
कृते चैवात्र कर्तव्यमिति नीतिर्गरीयसी । एकाकी स गणो बालः किं करिष्यति विक्रमम्
kṛte caivātra kartavyamiti nītirgarīyasī | ekākī sa gaṇo bālaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati vikramam
Ở đây, sách lược đúng đắn là: “việc cần làm thì nhất định phải làm.” Gaṇa ấy chỉ đơn độc, lại còn là đứa trẻ—một mình nó thì làm được chiến công gì?
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kumārakhaṇḍa episode to the sages, conveying the on-scene reasoning of the characters)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It emphasizes kartavya (duty) guided by nīti (wise discernment): spiritual life is not mere impulse, but right action aligned with dharma—an attitude that supports steadiness (śiva-niṣṭhā) and ultimately liberation under Pati (Shiva) rather than egoic heroism.
The verse reflects the Shaiva ethic of disciplined conduct: devotion to Saguna Shiva (as Lord who commands and protects the gaṇas) is expressed through orderly, duty-based action. Such nīti supports purity and readiness for Linga-worship, where inner resolve and right conduct are integral to effective pūjā.
A practical takeaway is sankalpa with discernment: before japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) or applying tripuṇḍra-bhasma, one should set a clear intention to perform one’s duty calmly and rightly, avoiding rash action driven by pride.