Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 14
शिवज्ञान-प्रश्नः तथा सृष्टौ शिवस्य स्वयमाविर्भावः
Inquiry into Śiva-knowledge and Śiva’s self-manifestation in creation
अपहृत्य स्वलीलार्थं तेषां ज्ञानं महेश्वरः । तमपृच्छंस्ततो देवाः को भवानिति मोहिताः
apahṛtya svalīlārthaṃ teṣāṃ jñānaṃ maheśvaraḥ | tamapṛcchaṃstato devāḥ ko bhavāniti mohitāḥ
Pour Son propre jeu divin (līlā), Maheśvara leur retira la connaissance. Alors les dieux, déconcertés, Lui demandèrent : «Qui es-Tu ?»
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: tirodhāna-līlā: deliberate veiling of deva-jñāna to initiate recognition of the Supreme
FAQs
It shows that even divine beings can be veiled by māyā when Śiva, the supreme Pati, withdraws their jñāna for His līlā—teaching that true knowledge arises by His grace, not by status or power.
The devas’ question “Who are You?” reflects the need to recognize Śiva as the manifest (saguṇa) Lord who can be approached and worshipped—often through the Liṅga—while also pointing to His transcendent reality beyond ordinary recognition.
Cultivate humility and seek Śiva’s anugraha through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady dhyāna, praying for the removal of moha (delusion) and the awakening of right understanding.