Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
रजस्सत्त्वतमोरूपो लीलया निर्गुणः स्वतः । का लीला रचिता चाद्य तामिदानीं वद प्रभो
rajassattvatamorūpo līlayā nirguṇaḥ svataḥ | kā līlā racitā cādya tāmidānīṃ vada prabho
主啊，虽以自性你为离三德之“无 गुण”(Nirguṇa)，却以神圣戏游（līlā）示现为罗阇斯、萨埵与怛摩之相。你在最初所安立的那一场 līlā 是什么？愿你如今为我宣说，噢主宰。
Sanatkumara (inferred, questioning the Lord in the Kumārakhaṇḍa context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Mantra: रजस्सत्त्वतमोरूपो लीलया निर्गुणः स्वतः । का लीला रचिता चाद्य तामिदानीं वद प्रभो
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Primordial beginning (ādya) alluding to cosmogony and manifestation of guṇas
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva (Pati) is inherently beyond the three guṇas, yet out of compassion and divine līlā He manifests within guṇic modes to govern creation—guiding bound souls (paśu) toward liberation.
The verse supports Saguna worship (such as Linga-pūjā) as a merciful access-point: devotees approach Shiva through manifest forms, while understanding that His true essence remains Nirguṇa and transcendent.
Meditate on Shiva as Nirguṇa while chanting the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and perform simple Linga worship with bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa as reminders to rise beyond rajas, tamas, and even sattva.