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
‘میں خود مختار ہوں’ یہ سمجھ کر وہ پہلے اپنے ہی فریبِ نفس میں پڑ گیا؛ اور من مانی کرنے والے کی طرح بہک کر اس نے بہت سی کھیل تماشے کیے۔
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.