Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
मया च मोहितास्ते वै मायया दूरतः कृताः । सर्वे विनष्टाः प्रध्वस्ताः शिवेन रहिता यदा
mayā ca mohitāste vai māyayā dūrataḥ kṛtāḥ | sarve vinaṣṭāḥ pradhvastāḥ śivena rahitā yadā
„Wahrlich, durch Mich wurden sie betört; durch Meine māyā wurden sie ferngehalten. Als sie ohne Śiva waren, gingen sie alle zugrunde—völlig zerschmettert.“
Lord Śiva (speaking as the Supreme Pati, explaining the working of Māyā when beings turn away from Him)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: General teaching: separation from Śiva (Pati) through Māyā (Pāśa) results in spiritual ruin; proximity to Śiva through worship and grace restores auspiciousness.
FAQs
It teaches that bondage arises when the soul (paśu) is distanced from Śiva (Pati) through māyā; separation from Śiva results in collapse of spiritual clarity and well-being, while return to Śiva restores stability and liberation.
When the mind is scattered by māyā, Saguna worship—especially Śiva-liṅga pūjā—gathers attention back to Śiva through form, mantra, and ritual, re-establishing the soul’s connection with Pati and weakening pasha (bondage).
Regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with liṅga-dhyāna and bhasma/tripuṇḍra remembrance is implied as the practical remedy to māyā—centering life on Śiva so one does not become “śivena rahita,” separated from Him.