Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
वृन्दायाः दुष्स्वप्न-दर्शनं तथा पातिव्रत्य-भङ्गोपक्रमः / Vṛndā’s Ominous Dreams and the Prelude to the Breach of Chastity
वृन्दां स दर्शयामास स्वप्नं मायाविनां वरः । स्वयं तन्नगरोद्यानमास्थितोऽद्भुतविग्रहः
vṛndāṃ sa darśayāmāsa svapnaṃ māyāvināṃ varaḥ | svayaṃ tannagarodyānamāsthito'dbhutavigrahaḥ
ദിവ്യമായയുടെ പരമാധിപൻ വൃന്ദയ്ക്ക് സ്വപ്നദർശനം വരുത്തി; താനേ അത്ഭുതദേഹം ധരിച്ചു ആ നഗരോദ്യാനത്തിൽ നിലകൊണ്ടു।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights how māyā can project convincing inner experiences (like dreams) and how the divine Lord can also assume an “adbhuta vigraha” (wondrous form) to direct events—teaching the seeker to rely on Shiva-bhakti and discernment rather than appearances.
By describing the Lord taking a visible, wondrous form, it supports Saguna-upāsanā—approaching Shiva through manifest forms (including the Linga) while understanding that the same Lord also transcends form and governs māyā.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with mindful vigilance toward dream-like distractions, supported by Shaiva disciplines such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and steady devotion that stabilizes the mind against māyā.