Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
हरे भोगप्रवृत्ते तु लोकधर्म प्रवर्तिनि । महान् कालो व्यतीयाय तयोः क्षण इवानघ
hare bhogapravṛtte tu lokadharma pravartini | mahān kālo vyatīyāya tayoḥ kṣaṇa ivānagha
Ô toi sans faute, tandis que ces deux-là s’adonnaient aux plaisirs du monde et maintenaient les devoirs de la société, un temps immensément long s’écoula pour eux—et pourtant il leur sembla n’être qu’un instant.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights the power of kāla (time): when consciousness is absorbed in bhoga and worldly dharma, even a long life can feel like a moment—urging the seeker to turn toward Shiva-bhakti and liberation-oriented practice.
By contrasting worldly absorption with the subtle passing of time, the verse implicitly points to steadiness in Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-upāsanā), which anchors the mind beyond fleeting pleasures and toward Pati (Shiva) as the refuge.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and mindful remembrance of kāla, so life is not spent only in bhoga but directed toward moksha.