Shloka 19
Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
प्रभोर्बलवती माया मायिनामपि मोहिनी । किं कृतं रूपमाच्छाद्य प्रभुणा छलितो ह्यहम्
prabhorbalavatī māyā māyināmapi mohinī | kiṃ kṛtaṃ rūpamācchādya prabhuṇā chalito hyaham
Māyā Tuhan itu amat kuat—ia memperdaya bahkan mereka yang mahir dalam ilusi. Dengan menutupi rupa sejati-Nya melalui suatu penampakan yang diandaikan, dengan helah apakah Tuhan telah memperdayakan aku?
A devotee/narrative character in Śatarudrasaṃhitā reflecting on Shiva’s bewildering māyā (as relayed in the Purāṇic narration by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Ishana
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights that Shiva’s māyā (veiling power) is not merely worldly illusion but a divine force that can bewilder even the clever; liberation comes by recognizing the Lord as Pati (the sovereign) and surrendering beyond ego and self-reliance.
When Shiva conceals His true nature, devotees approach Him through accessible saguna supports—especially the Śiva-liṅga—so the mind can stabilize in devotion and gradually intuit the nirguna reality beyond appearances.
Regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa, coupled with self-inquiry into what is ‘covered’ by māyā, is a practical takeaway for overcoming delusion.