Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 70
प्रणवविभागः—वेदस्वरूपत्वं लिङ्गे च प्रतिष्ठा
The Division of Oṃ, Its Vedic Forms, and Its Placement in the Liṅga
प्रीतो ऽनुगृह्य तौ देवौ स्मितपूर्वमभाषत । ईश्वर उवाच । वत्सवत्स विधे विष्णो मायया मम मोहितौ
prīto 'nugṛhya tau devau smitapūrvamabhāṣata | īśvara uvāca | vatsavatsa vidhe viṣṇo māyayā mama mohitau
Wohlgefällig gestimmt, erwies der Herr jenen beiden Göttern Gnade und sprach mit sanftem Lächeln. Der Höchste Herr sagte: «Geliebte Kinder—o Vidhe (Brahmā) und o Viṣṇu—ihr beide seid durch Meine Māyā verblendet worden.»
Lord Shiva (Īśvara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: This is doctrinally adjacent to the Liṅgodbhava motif (Śiva revealing supremacy to Brahmā and Viṣṇu), though the verse itself focuses on māyā-mohana and grace.
Significance: Teaches that even cosmic rulers are subject to Śiva’s tirodhāna-śakti (concealment via māyā) until anugraha dawns—encouraging humility and reliance on Śiva’s grace.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that even exalted deities like Brahmā and Viṣṇu can be veiled by Īśvara’s Māyā; liberation arises when the soul recognizes Shiva as Pati (the supreme Lord) beyond the limiting power of Pāśa (bondage).
The verse frames Saguna Īśvara as the compassionate revealer who removes delusion; Linga-worship is a concrete, scriptural means to turn from Māyā’s confusion toward Shiva’s direct grace and right knowledge.
A practical takeaway is daily Shiva-upāsanā for Māyā-nivṛtti—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a prayer for Shiva’s anugraha (grace) to dispel moha (delusion).