Shloka 21
गोत्र-प्रवर-प्रश्नः तथा तिथ्यादि-कीर्तनं
Gotra–Pravara Inquiry and Proclamation of Auspicious Time
लीलाविहारिणा तेन मोहितं च चराचरम् । नो जानाति शिवं कोऽपि प्राज्ञोऽपि गिरिसत्तम
līlāvihāriṇā tena mohitaṃ ca carācaram | no jānāti śivaṃ ko'pi prājño'pi girisattama
लीलाविहारिणा तेन मोहितं च चराचरम् । नो जानाति शिवं कोऽपि प्राज्ञोऽपि गिरिसत्तम ॥
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that the entire cosmos—moving and unmoving—can be veiled by Shiva’s māyā within His līlā, so mere intellectual brilliance cannot grasp Shiva’s supreme nature; humility, grace, and devotion are essential.
Since Shiva’s full reality is beyond ordinary knowing, the Purana points devotees to accessible Saguna supports like Śiva-liṅga worship, through which the mind is purified and gradually led toward the transcendent (Nirguṇa) truth.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with bhakti and inner surrender, supported by Shaiva disciplines such as vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa to stabilize awareness beyond delusion.