Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
विष्णुचेष्टितवर्णनम् / Account of Viṣṇu’s Stratagem and Its Aftermath
सुखमापुर्न वा तातास्सत्यं ब्रूतामराः खलु । भवत्कृते हि मे लीला निर्विकारस्य सर्वदा
sukhamāpurna vā tātāssatyaṃ brūtāmarāḥ khalu | bhavatkṛte hi me līlā nirvikārasya sarvadā
«Ô bien-aimés, dites-moi la vérité : avez-vous réellement atteint la félicité, ou non ? Car, à cause de vous, ceci est toujours ma līlā divine, tandis que, dans ma nature véritable, je demeure à jamais immuable.»
Lord Shiva (Rudra)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva, the supreme Pati, is intrinsically nirvikāra (unchanging), yet manifests action as līlā for the welfare and instruction of beings—so devotees learn to see worldly events as purposeful divine governance rather than limitation in God.
Though Shiva is ultimately changeless (nirguna in essence), devotees approach Him through saguna forms—such as the Linga—where His compassionate līlā becomes accessible, allowing bhakti and grace to operate within time and ritual.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with the contemplation: “Shiva is nirvikāra, yet out of grace He acts for my upliftment,” supporting steadiness in devotion during conflict or change.