Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 5
शिवस्य आश्वासनं हरि-ब्रह्मणोः तथा शङ्खचूडवृत्तान्तकथनम् / Śiva’s Reassurance to Hari and Brahmā; Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Origin
स्वतंत्रोहमिति स्वं स मोहं मत्वा गतः पुरा । क्रीडास्समकरोद्बह्वीस्स्वैरवर्तीव मोहितः
svataṃtrohamiti svaṃ sa mohaṃ matvā gataḥ purā | krīḍāssamakarodbahvīssvairavartīva mohitaḥ
‘ನಾನು ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ’ ಎಂದು ಭಾವಿಸಿ ಅವನು ಹಿಂದೆ ತನ್ನದೇ ಮೋಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದನು; ಸ್ವೇಚ್ಛಾಚಾರಿಯಂತೆ ಮೋಹಿತನಾಗಿ ಅನೇಕ ಕ್ರೀಡೆಗಳನ್ನು ನಡೆಸಿದನು।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It warns that the sense of being “independent” (svatantra-abhimāna) is a form of moha that binds the soul (paśu) in worldly diversions; liberation arises through recognizing Shiva (Pati) as the true Lord and aligning one’s will with dharma and devotion.
Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship trains the mind away from capricious sense-play (krīḍā) toward disciplined reverence, surrender, and steadiness; by offering actions to Shiva, the devotee loosens the pāśa of ego and returns to right orientation under the Lord’s sovereignty.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a vow of restraint (niyama), supported by simple Shiva-upāsanā such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance and mindful reduction of frivolous distractions.