Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
कामप्रभावः (कामा॑स्य प्रभाववर्णनम्) — The Power of Kāma and the (Ineffective) Attempt to Delude Śiva
इति सर्वमहं दृष्ट्वा ज्ञात्वा तस्य च भावनाम् । विमुखोहं शंभुमोहान्नियतं ते वदाम्यहम्
iti sarvamahaṃ dṛṣṭvā jñātvā tasya ca bhāvanām | vimukhohaṃ śaṃbhumohānniyataṃ te vadāmyaham
«Ayant ainsi tout vu, et ayant compris aussi son intention intérieure, je me suis détourné—assurément—par illusion au sujet de Śambhu. Je vous dis cela en vérité.»
Satī (speaking about her prior misunderstanding of Śiva/Śambhu)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Models the devotee’s corrective movement: acknowledging ‘śambhu-moha’ (misconception about the Lord) is the first step toward grace (anugraha) and right understanding of Pati.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights how moha (delusion) can veil Śiva’s true nature; spiritual progress begins when one honestly recognizes one’s misunderstanding and turns toward right knowledge and devotion to Pati (Śiva).
Śambhu here represents the accessible, compassionate Saguna form of Śiva; the verse implies that aversion to Śiva arises from ignorance, and Linga-worship is a corrective path that steadies the mind in reverence and clarity.
A practical takeaway is to counter moha with steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Śiva-pūjā (Linga-abhiṣeka), cultivating humility and self-correction.