Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
शम्भोस्सम्भोगमिष्टं को भेदं कर्तुमिहेश्वरः । पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे च स्वेच्छया हि विरंस्यति
śambhossambhogamiṣṭaṃ ko bhedaṃ kartumiheśvaraḥ | pūrṇe varṣasahasre ca svecchayā hi viraṃsyati
Qui donc, ici, serait capable d’établir une distinction dans ce qui est cher à Śambhu ? Même après mille années accomplies, Il—par sa seule libre volonté—s’en détournera et demeurera détaché.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadashiva
Shakti Form: Parvati
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: īśvara-svātantrya (the Lord’s free will) overriding ordinary causality; long time-span (thousand years) as cosmic patience
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva is supremely independent (svatantra) and unattached: even what appears “dear” to him is not a binding craving, for he can relinquish it by mere will—showing the Shaiva Siddhanta ideal of mastery over desire and freedom from pāśa (bondage).
In Saguna worship, devotees relate to Śiva through form and līlā, yet this verse reminds that the Linga signifies his transcendence: he is not compelled by enjoyment or emotion, and devotion should aim at inner purity and liberation rather than bargaining for pleasures.
Practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of moderation and periodic renunciation, offering pleasures mentally into Śiva and cultivating vairāgya—so the mind learns to “turn away” from attachment by conscious will.