Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
गणसमागमः (Śiva Summons the Gaṇas for the Great Festival)
पञ्चभिश्च कपालाख्यो गणेशः कोटिभिस्तथा । षड्भिस्सन्दारको वीरो गणानां कोटिभिर्मुने
pañcabhiśca kapālākhyo gaṇeśaḥ koṭibhistathā | ṣaḍbhissandārako vīro gaṇānāṃ koṭibhirmune
噢，牟尼圣者，名为“迦波罗阿迦耶”的伽内沙——湿婆众（gaṇa）中的主宰——携五俱胝随从而现；英勇的“桑达罗迦”亦率六俱胝湿婆众同来。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
It highlights the immeasurable, organized power of Śiva’s gaṇas—divine forces that protect dharma and carry out the Lord’s will—showing that the Saguna form of Śiva governs the cosmos through vast, conscious agencies.
The verse points to Śiva’s Saguna sovereignty: the Lord worshipped as Liṅga is also the living ruler whose gaṇas manifest His protection and command; devotion to the Liṅga naturally implies reverence for His divine order and attendants.
A practical takeaway is protective japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa, praying for the guarding presence of Śiva’s gaṇas and steadiness in bhakti.