Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 72
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
न खेलयेदानीं जहि ब्रह्मपदप्रद । इत्युक्त्वा नारद त्वं वै ह्यंतर्द्धानं गतस्तदा
na khelayedānīṃ jahi brahmapadaprada | ityuktvā nārada tvaṃ vai hyaṃtarddhānaṃ gatastadā
“ଏବେ ଆଉ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା କରନି—ହେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପଦପ୍ରଦ, ତାକୁ ସଂହାର କର।” ଏହିପରି କହି ନାରଦ ସେଇ କ୍ଷଣେ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଧାନ ହେଲେ।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the episode; quoted speech is by Nārada)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse highlights decisive adherence to dharma: when delusion or hesitation becomes ‘play,’ a higher guidance (here through Nārada) urges firm action. In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, clarity and right action prepare the soul (paśu) to receive Pati’s grace rather than remain bound by confusion.
Though the verse is narrative, its thrust supports Saguna Shiva worship as disciplined dharma: devotion is not sentimental wavering but steadiness. Linga-upāsanā is traditionally paired with ethical resolve and protection of dharma, which this command exemplifies.
The practical takeaway is steadiness (niścaya) in sādhanā: repeat the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with focused intent, and maintain Tripuṇḍra/bhasma and rudrākṣa as reminders to avoid frivolity and act according to dharma.