Shloka 22
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
विधायेत्थं विष्णुरूपं ग्रहीतुं मुनिसत्तमः । विष्णुलोकं जगामाशु नारदः स्मरविह्वलः
vidhāyetthaṃ viṣṇurūpaṃ grahītuṃ munisattamaḥ | viṣṇulokaṃ jagāmāśu nāradaḥ smaravihvalaḥ
Ayant ainsi décidé de prendre la forme de Viṣṇu, le plus éminent des sages—Nārada—se rendit promptement au séjour de Viṣṇu, l’esprit agité par le désir amoureux. Selon la perspective śaiva, même de tels êtres exaltés demeurent mus par les élans de la māyā, jusqu’à ce que la grâce de Pati (Śiva) affermisse le cœur.
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.