Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
विधायेत्थं विष्णुरूपं ग्रहीतुं मुनिसत्तमः । विष्णुलोकं जगामाशु नारदः स्मरविह्वलः
vidhāyetthaṃ viṣṇurūpaṃ grahītuṃ munisattamaḥ | viṣṇulokaṃ jagāmāśu nāradaḥ smaravihvalaḥ
Habiendo resuelto así asumir la forma de Viṣṇu, el más excelso de los sabios—Nārada—partió presto hacia la morada de Viṣṇu, con la mente turbada por el anhelo amoroso. Desde la visión śaiva, aun seres tan sublimes se mueven bajo los impulsos de la māyā, hasta que la gracia de Pati (Śiva) aquieta y afirma el corazón.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It shows that even a great sage like Nārada can be stirred by smara (desire/longing), illustrating the Shaiva Siddhanta insight that bondage (pāśa) persists until the soul is steadied by Śiva’s grace and right discernment.
Nārada’s movement toward a divine realm under emotional agitation highlights the need for a stable devotional center; in Śaiva practice, worship of the Śiva-liṅga (saguṇa upāsanā leading to higher realization) anchors the mind and redirects longing into pure bhakti.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to pacify smara-vikāra (agitation of desire), supported by simple Śiva-pūjā with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) as a reminder of dispassion and clarity.