Shloka 8
अध्याय ४९ — विवाहानुष्ठाने ब्रह्मणः काममोहः
Brahmā’s Enchantment by Desire during the Wedding Rites
रेतसा क्षरता तेन लज्जितोहं पितामहः । मुने व्यमर्द तच्छिन्नं चरणाभ्यां हि गोपयन्
retasā kṣaratā tena lajjitohaṃ pitāmahaḥ | mune vyamarda tacchinnaṃ caraṇābhyāṃ hi gopayan
“Because of that semen flowing forth, I—Brahmā, the Grandsire—was overcome with shame. O sage, concealing it, I crushed that fallen portion with my feet.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Etiological seed-motif: the fallen retas becomes a concealed ‘cause’ for subsequent manifestation (often a place/being) in Purāṇic storytelling; this verse itself focuses on concealment rather than naming a shrine.
FAQs
It highlights how even exalted beings confront the force of desire, and that shame arises when consciousness turns outward; Shaiva teaching redirects such impulses toward restraint, purity, and devotion to Pati (Shiva) for inner mastery.
The episode underscores the need to approach Saguna Shiva and Linga-worship with inner and outer purity; the Linga symbolizes disciplined, concentrated awareness, where uncontrolled passion is to be sublimated into bhakti and steadiness of mind.
A practical takeaway is brahmacarya and mental restraint supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and purification practices like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as reminders to curb desire and stabilize awareness.