Shloka 123
Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
त॑ प्रहस्याब्रवीद् देव ऋषिं रागेण मोहितम्,महर्षि रागसे मोहित हो रहे थे। महादेवजीने उनकी बात सुनकर हँसते हुए कहीं --
taṁ prahasyābravīd deva ṛṣiṁ rāgeṇa mohitam
Então o Senhor divino, sorrindo, falou ao rishi, iludido pela paixão. Mahādeva, ao ouvir suas palavras, respondeu com uma breve risada.
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that rāga (passionate attachment) produces moha (delusion), which can distort judgment even in a sage; the divine response—smiling—signals gentle correction and the ethical need for inner restraint and clarity.
A sage, overcome by desire, speaks or acts in a deluded state; Mahādeva (Śiva), hearing him, smiles/laughs and then addresses him, setting up a corrective or instructive reply.