Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
श्रुत्वेत्थं तुलसीवाक्यं स विहस्य रमापतिः । शंखचूडरूपधरस्तामुवाचामृतं वचः
śrutvetthaṃ tulasīvākyaṃ sa vihasya ramāpatiḥ | śaṃkhacūḍarūpadharastāmuvācāmṛtaṃ vacaḥ
Nghe Tulasi nói như vậy, Đấng Phu Quân của Ramā (Viṣṇu) mỉm cười. Ngài liền mang hình tướng Śaṅkhacūḍa và nói với nàng những lời ngọt như cam lộ.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; within the story, Vishnu speaks to Tulasi)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse belongs to the Tulasi–Śaṅkhacūḍa narrative where Viṣṇu assumes a deceptive form, setting up karmic consequences and later transformations in the story.
Significance: Didactic rather than tīrtha-centered: illustrates how māyā/tirodhāna can bind even exalted beings through attachment and misrecognition, prompting eventual recourse to Śiva’s grace.
Shakti Form: Tārā
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights how divine līlā operates through form and speech: the Lord uses a chosen appearance and gentle words to guide events toward dharma, reminding devotees to seek the highest truth (Pati) beyond outward forms.
By showing a deity assuming a specific form for a purpose, the verse supports Saguna worship: forms are compassionate instruments. In Shaiva understanding, such narratives ultimately point the mind toward Shiva as Pati—the supreme reality—beyond changing appearances.
Practice discernment (viveka) alongside bhakti: steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” helps the devotee remain anchored in Shiva while navigating the play of names and forms in life.