Shloka 5
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
विप्ररूपेण त्वरितं मायया निजया हरिः । जगाम शंखचूडस्य रूपेण तुलसीगृहम्
viprarūpeṇa tvaritaṃ māyayā nijayā hariḥ | jagāma śaṃkhacūḍasya rūpeṇa tulasīgṛham
Assuming the form of a brāhmaṇa and swiftly employing his own māyā, Hari went to Tulasī’s dwelling, taking on the very likeness of Śaṅkhacūḍa.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It highlights how māyā operates even at cosmic levels: the gods employ divine strategy to uphold dharma, showing that worldly identities and appearances are mutable and subordinate to the higher divine order governed ultimately by Śiva’s overarching purpose in the narrative.
The episode underscores that forms (rūpa) can be assumed and withdrawn through māyā, whereas devotion to Saguna Śiva—especially through the Liṅga—anchors the mind in a stable, sanctifying focus beyond deception and shifting appearances.
A practical takeaway is vigilance against māyā through steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and grounding daily worship with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of impermanence and discernment.