Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
एतस्मिन्नंतरे विष्णुराजगाम नृपाकृतिः । न दृष्टः कैश्चिदपरैः केवलं सा ददर्श हि
etasminnaṃtare viṣṇurājagāma nṛpākṛtiḥ | na dṛṣṭaḥ kaiścidaparaiḥ kevalaṃ sā dadarśa hi
Inzwischen kam Viṣṇu dorthin, indem er die Gestalt eines Königs annahm. Von niemand anderem wurde er gesehen—wahrlich, nur sie erblickte ihn.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
FAQs
The verse highlights that divine beings can reveal themselves selectively; perception is governed by īśvara-saṅkalpa (the Lord’s will), reminding the seeker that spiritual vision depends on grace and inner readiness, not merely outer sight.
By showing Viṣṇu taking a visible form yet remaining unseen to others, the text underscores the Shaiva theme that the Supreme is both beyond form (nirguṇa) and accessible through form (saguṇa). Similarly, the Liṅga is a saguṇa support through which the transcendent is approached by devotion and purity.
A practical takeaway is disciplined japa with devotion—especially the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—seeking divine grace for inner perception (darśana). Maintaining śauca (purity) and steady dhyāna supports such receptivity.