Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31
कामप्रभावः (कामा॑स्य प्रभाववर्णनम्) — The Power of Kāma and the (Ineffective) Attempt to Delude Śiva
ब्रह्मोवाच । मनो भववचश्चेत्थं श्रुत्वाहं चतुराननः । विवक्षुरपि नावोचं चिंताविष्टोऽभवं तदा
brahmovāca | mano bhavavacaścetthaṃ śrutvāhaṃ caturānanaḥ | vivakṣurapi nāvocaṃ ciṃtāviṣṭo'bhavaṃ tadā
Brahmā sprach: „O Bhava (Śiva), als ich deine Worte so vernahm, schwieg ich—der Viergesichtige—obwohl ich sprechen wollte. Damals wurde ich von Sorge überwältigt und in ängstliches Sinnen versenkt.“
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights Brahmā’s humility before Bhava (Śiva): even the cosmic creator becomes silent when confronted with Shiva’s higher resolve, suggesting that true wisdom includes restraint and reverent contemplation of Pati (the Supreme Lord).
By naming Shiva as Bhava and showing Brahmā’s awe, the verse supports Saguna devotion—approaching Shiva as the personal Lord whose command and presence surpass intellectual argument, a core mood behind Linga-worship in the Purāṇa.
The takeaway is contemplative silence (mauna) and inward reflection after hearing Shiva’s teaching—followed by steady japa of Shiva’s name/mantra (such as the Panchākṣarī) to stabilize the mind rather than reacting impulsively.