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
«En vérité, c’est par Moi qu’ils furent abusés ; par Ma māyā ils furent tenus à distance. Lorsqu’ils furent privés de Śiva, tous périrent—entièrement brisés.»
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.