Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
इत्युक्त्वा नृपमामंत्र्य ययौ यादृच्छिको मुनिः । बभूव कामविवशश्शिवमाया विमोहितः
ityuktvā nṛpamāmaṃtrya yayau yādṛcchiko muniḥ | babhūva kāmavivaśaśśivamāyā vimohitaḥ
وبعد أن قال ذلك، استأذن الحكيم يادْرِتشِكا الملكَ وانصرف. ثم لما غلبته الشهوة، أضلّته مايا شيفا وأوقعته في الوهم.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It teaches that even a learned person can fall when desire rises; Śiva’s Māyā functions as a veiling power that exposes inner weakness, pushing the soul toward humility, discernment, and eventual reliance on Śiva’s grace for liberation.
Since the mind can be overrun by kāma and delusion, devotion to Saguna Śiva—especially through Linga worship—anchors attention in purity and remembrance, gradually loosening Māyā’s grip and turning the heart toward Śiva as Pati (the Lord).
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady restraint of the senses; supporting disciplines like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and simple daily Śiva-pūjā help stabilize the mind against desire-driven distraction.