Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
विधायेत्थं विष्णुरूपं ग्रहीतुं मुनिसत्तमः । विष्णुलोकं जगामाशु नारदः स्मरविह्वलः
vidhāyetthaṃ viṣṇurūpaṃ grahītuṃ munisattamaḥ | viṣṇulokaṃ jagāmāśu nāradaḥ smaravihvalaḥ
Tendo assim decidido assumir a forma de Viṣṇu, o mais eminente dos sábios—Nārada—partiu depressa para a morada de Viṣṇu, com a mente agitada pelo anseio amoroso. Do ponto de vista śaiva, até seres tão elevados se movem sob os impulsos da māyā, até que a graça de Pati (Śiva) firme e aquiete o coração.
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.