Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 53
विष्णूत्पत्तिवर्णनम्
Description of the Origin/Manifestation of Viṣṇu
तदा श्रांतश्च पुरुषो विष्णुस्तस्मिञ्जले स्वयम् । सुष्वाप परम प्रीतो बहुकालं विमोहितः
tadā śrāṃtaśca puruṣo viṣṇustasmiñjale svayam | suṣvāpa parama prīto bahukālaṃ vimohitaḥ
Kemudian Pribadi itu—Viṣṇu sendiri—menjadi letih di dalam air itu. Dengan suatu rasa puas yang ganjil, baginda pun tertidur, lalu berada dalam keadaan terkeliru untuk waktu yang lama.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Rudrasaṃhitā creation account)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Illustrates tirodhāna (veiling): even a cosmic functionary (Viṣṇu as prākṛta-puruṣa role) can be ‘vimohita’ until higher revelation—pilgrimage/śuddhi is framed as removing mala and āvaraṇa to receive anugraha.
Cosmic Event: cosmic sleep (yoga-nidrā motif) within primordial waters under veiling power
FAQs
It highlights that fatigue, sleep, and prolonged moha (delusion) can arise even in cosmic roles like Viṣṇu’s, implying that liberation is not merely a function of power but of transcendental knowledge and Śiva’s anugraha (grace) that removes the veil of māyā.
The narrative prepares the ground for recognizing a higher principle beyond cosmic administration: Saguna Śiva (often approached through the Liṅga) is worshiped as the revealer of truth who dispels moha, guiding the devotee from worldly “contentment” that binds to the bliss that liberates.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and rudrākṣa as supports for steadiness—aimed at overcoming nidrā-pramāda (spiritual negligence) and clearing moha through remembrance of Śiva.