Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
तेन नादेन महता नादितं भुवनत्रयम् । रजसा चावृतं व्योम तमसा चावृता दिशः
tena nādena mahatā nāditaṃ bhuvanatrayam | rajasā cāvṛtaṃ vyoma tamasā cāvṛtā diśaḥ
Par ce son puissant (nāda), les trois mondes retentirent. Le ciel fut voilé par rajas (l’agitation), et les directions furent enveloppées par tamas (l’obscurité et l’inertie).
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: The gaṇa-nāda shakes the three worlds; rajas and tamas ‘cover’ space and directions—an omen that the adhvara’s apparent splendor is being eclipsed by Rudra’s overpowering presence.
Significance: Interpretable as a warning: when rajas-tamas dominate, perception is veiled (tirodhāna), and ritual pride collapses; one should seek sattva through Śiva-bhakti and jñāna.
Cosmic Event: Omens of cosmic disturbance: triloka-nāda with guṇa-āvṛti (rajas/tamas veiling)
FAQs
The verse depicts a cosmic upheaval where nāda (primordial vibration) shakes the worlds, while rajas and tamas veil clarity—signaling that worldly perception becomes obscured when guṇas surge, and that liberation lies in turning toward Shiva who is beyond the guṇas.
When rajas and tamas cover the sky and directions, the devotee relies on Saguna Shiva—especially the Shiva-liṅga as a steady focus—so the mind can be gathered from distraction and darkness into devotional concentration.
A practical takeaway is mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and steady breath-awareness to reduce tamas (dullness) and calm rajas (restlessness).