Shloka 41
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
पश्य नारद रूपं हि विष्णोरिव महोत्तमम् । मुखं तु वानरस्येव विकटं च भयंकरम्
paśya nārada rūpaṃ hi viṣṇoriva mahottamam | mukhaṃ tu vānarasyeva vikaṭaṃ ca bhayaṃkaram
“Behold, O Nārada—this form is supremely exalted, like that of Viṣṇu; yet its face is like that of a monkey—grotesque and terrifying.”
Brahmā (narrating to Nārada within the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa frame)
Tattva Level: pasha
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse highlights that divinity cannot be judged by outer appearance: a form may be “supremely exalted” yet appear fearsome. In Shaiva understanding, such contrasts train the seeker to look beyond surface perception and recognize the Lord’s presence and purpose even in unsettling manifestations.
It supports Saguna worship by showing that the Lord assumes many forms to guide beings. The Śiva-liṅga, though simple in appearance, represents the highest reality; likewise, even a strange or terrifying form can conceal supreme auspiciousness (śivatva) for the devotee who worships with right understanding.
A practical takeaway is steadiness of mind in darśana: contemplate the Lord beyond form while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and cultivate inner purity (śuddhi) so that fear and fascination do not disturb devotion.