Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
मां वरिष्यति नान्यं सा विष्णुरूपधरन्ध्रुवम् । आननस्य कुरूपत्वं न वेद मुनिसत्तमः
māṃ variṣyati nānyaṃ sā viṣṇurūpadharandhruvam | ānanasya kurūpatvaṃ na veda munisattamaḥ
„Sie wird mich zum Gemahl erwählen—gewiss keinen anderen—obgleich ich die Gestalt Viṣṇus trage. O bester der Weisen, sie kennt die Hässlichkeit meines Antlitzes nicht.“
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode to the sages at Naimisharanya, quoting the inner thought/speech within the story)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights how perception can be bound to outer appearance and assumed identities; Shaiva teaching points toward discernment (viveka) and grace, by which the seeker learns to recognize the Divine beyond borrowed forms.
The verse contrasts outward form with inner reality; Linga-worship trains the devotee to focus on the essential presence of Shiva rather than merely attractive or prestigious appearances, while saguna devotion matures into recognition of the indwelling Pati (Lord).
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplation on seeing the divine essence beyond form, supported by traditional Shaiva aids like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa for steadiness of mind.