Shloka 42
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
इच्छत्ययं नृपसुता वृथैव स्मरमोहितः । इत्युक्त्वा सच्छलं वाक्यमुपहासं प्रचक्रतुः
icchatyayaṃ nṛpasutā vṛthaiva smaramohitaḥ | ityuktvā sacchalaṃ vākyamupahāsaṃ pracakratuḥ
“This king’s daughter desires him—yet it is surely in vain, for he is deluded by Kāma.” Saying this, the two of them spoke deceitful words and proceeded to mock him.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudrasaṃhitā account to the sages, reporting the speech of two mockers within the story)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights how kama (desire) and moha (delusion) distort discernment and invite adharma such as deceit and ridicule—classic marks of pasha (bondage) that the jiva must transcend by turning toward Pati (Shiva) through right understanding and conduct.
By showing the mind’s fall into smara-moha, the verse implicitly points to the need for stabilizing devotion to Saguna Shiva (often through Linga worship), which purifies impulses and replaces mocking speech and manipulation with humility, truthfulness, and bhakti.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to calm desire-driven agitation, along with cultivating satya (truthfulness) and avoiding ninda/upahasa (derision), which are obstacles to Shaiva purity.