Shloka 56
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
स्वमुखं वानरस्येव दृष्ट्वा चुक्रोध सत्वरम् । शापन्ददौ तयोस्तत्र गणयोर्मोहितो मुनिः
svamukhaṃ vānarasyeva dṛṣṭvā cukrodha satvaram | śāpandadau tayostatra gaṇayormohito muniḥ
Seeing his own face as if it were that of a monkey, the sage at once became enraged. Deluded on that spot by those two gaṇas, he then pronounced a curse upon them.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudrasaṃhitā creation-cycle account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights how moha (bewilderment) can trigger krodha (anger), leading to karmic consequences like cursing. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, the soul (paśu) bound by mala and māyā reacts impulsively; spiritual maturity is shown by restraint and discernment rather than immediate retaliation.
The gaṇas signify Śiva’s saguna retinue—cosmic forces operating under His command. The episode indirectly teaches that approaching Śiva (often through Liṅga worship) requires inner purity and humility; otherwise, one’s ego and anger distort perception, even when encountering Śiva’s attendants.
A practical takeaway is anger-control through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and cultivating śānti before worship. Applying bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and steady mantra-recitation are traditional Shaiva methods to cool rajas and reduce impulsive reactions.