Adhyaya 22 — शिवानुग्रहः, ब्रह्मतपः, एकादशरुद्राः तथा प्राणतत्त्वम्
ततः स भगवान्देवः श्रुत्वा वागमृतं तयोः जानन्नपि महादेवः क्रीडापूर्वमथाब्रवीत्
tataḥ sa bhagavāndevaḥ śrutvā vāgamṛtaṃ tayoḥ jānannapi mahādevaḥ krīḍāpūrvamathābravīt
Então o Senhor Bem-aventurado—Mahādeva—ao ouvir as palavras dos dois, como néctar, embora já soubesse tudo, tornou a falar, primeiro em seu jogo divino (līlā).
Suta (outer narration), describing Mahadeva’s action within the internal dialogue
It frames Śiva as the omniscient Pati who still speaks out of līlā and grace, establishing that teachings and rites (including Liṅga-upāsanā) are given for the uplift of pashus, not because the Lord lacks knowledge.
Śiva is shown as sarvajña (all-knowing) and yet freely expressive—his speech arises from līlā and compassion, indicating transcendence beyond necessity while remaining immanent as teacher and guide.
No specific rite is prescribed in this line; it highlights the pedagogical principle behind Pāśupata-oriented instruction—Śiva’s deliberate teaching to loosen pāśa (bondage) for the pashu (soul).