Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion
एतादृशम्पुरं दृष्ट्वा मोहम्प्राप्तोऽथ नारदः । कौतुकी तन्नृपद्वारं जगाम मदनेधितः
etādṛśampuraṃ dṛṣṭvā mohamprāpto'tha nāradaḥ | kautukī tannṛpadvāraṃ jagāma madanedhitaḥ
见此奇妙之城，纳罗陀（Nārada）一时迷惘失措；因好奇心驱使，又被欲念更添炽燃，便走向王宫之门。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It shows how even a great sage can be momentarily overtaken by moha when the mind turns outward; in Shaiva Siddhanta, such delusion is a movement of māyā that is overcome by turning back toward Pati (Śiva) through devotion and discernment.
The verse contrasts fascination with external splendor and the inward anchoring offered by Saguna Śiva worship—especially Linga-upāsanā—which gathers the mind, reduces kama-driven restlessness, and redirects attention toward Śiva as the liberating Lord.
A practical takeaway is to calm curiosity and desire with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), supported by simple purity disciplines such as applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintaining steady breath and attention before making choices.