Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 54
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
गणावूचतुः । हे नारदमुने त्वं हि वृथा मदनमोहितः । तल्लिप्सुस्स्वमुखं पश्य वानरस्येव गर्हितम्
gaṇāvūcatuḥ | he nāradamune tvaṃ hi vṛthā madanamohitaḥ | tallipsussvamukhaṃ paśya vānarasyeva garhitam
Các Gaṇa nói: “Hỡi hiền giả Nārada, ngài uổng công bị Kāma (thần Dục) mê hoặc. Nếu ngài còn tìm cầu nàng, hãy nhìn chính gương mặt mình—đáng khinh như mặt khỉ.”
Shiva’s Gaṇas (attendants)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It exposes Kāma (desire) and ahaṅkāra (pride) as forms of pāśa—bondage that distorts discernment. The Gaṇas’ harsh rebuke functions as a corrective, urging humility and self-knowledge so devotion can mature toward Shiva, the liberator (Pati).
In Shaiva practice, turning from sense-impulse to Shiva’s auspicious form (Saguna) and symbol (Liṅga) is a movement from distraction to steadiness. The verse pushes the aspirant away from infatuation and toward inner purification, which is foundational for meaningful Liṅga-pūjā.
A practical takeaway is restraint (saṃyama) supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and simple daily purification such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance, using the moment of desire as a cue to return to mantra and self-inquiry.