Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
त्रिपुरमोहनम्
Tripuramohana — “The Delusion/Enchanting of Tripura”
यद्ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्राख्यास्तदाख्या देहिनामिमाः । आख्यायथास्मदादीनामरिहन्नादिरुच्यते
yadbrahmaviṣṇurudrākhyāstadākhyā dehināmimāḥ | ākhyāyathāsmadādīnāmarihannādirucyate
Diese Bezeichnungen—Brahmā, Viṣṇu und Rudra—sind lediglich Namen, die verkörperte Wesen annehmen. Doch wenn von den Uranfänglichen die Rede ist, beginnend mit uns, wird Er „Arihan“ genannt: der Anfangslose, der Bezwinger der Feinde.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic dialogue to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa context)
Tattva Level: tirodhana
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Role: teaching
FAQs
It distinguishes temporary role-names (Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra) associated with embodied limitation from the Supreme Pati, who is beginningless and destroys the deepest enemies—ignorance, bondage, and ego.
In Linga-worship, devotees approach Saguna Shiva through a form and name, yet the verse reminds that Shiva’s true nature is beginningless and beyond limiting identifications—so the form leads the mind to the formless Reality.
Meditate on Shiva as the ‘Arihan’ who slays inner enemies, while repeating the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with the intent of overcoming avidyā and loosening pāśa (bondage).