Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
चिरं ज्ञात्वा तयोर्भोगं चिंतामापुस्सुराश्च ते । ब्रह्माणं मां पुरस्कृत्य ययुर्नारायणांतिकम्
ciraṃ jñātvā tayorbhogaṃ ciṃtāmāpussurāśca te | brahmāṇaṃ māṃ puraskṛtya yayurnārāyaṇāṃtikam
Ayant compris que la jouissance de ces deux-là se prolongerait longtemps, ces dieux furent saisis d’inquiétude. Me plaçant, moi—Brahmā—à leur tête, ils allèrent en la présence de Nārāyaṇa.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights the limitation of bhoga (mere enjoyment): even the Devas become uneasy when pleasure prolongs without higher resolution. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, this points to the insufficiency of worldly experience and the need for right guidance that ultimately culminates in Shiva’s anugraha (grace) leading beyond bondage.
Though the verse narrates the Devas going to Nārāyaṇa, the underlying theme is that cosmic order and spiritual progress require turning to a higher, stabilizing principle. In the Shiva Purana’s broader arc, such seeking of counsel and remedy often culminates in turning toward Shiva’s saguna manifestations—frequently centered on Linga-worship—as the means to restore dharma and attain auspiciousness.
The immediate takeaway is to respond to anxiety by seeking divine counsel and grounding the mind in devotion. Practically, Shaiva practice would align this with japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and steadying observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supports for composure and Shiva-oriented remembrance.