Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
प्रकृतितत्त्व-विचारः / Inquiry into Prakṛti (Nature/Śakti) and Śiva’s Transcendence
पराधीनस्सदा त्वं हि नानाकर्म्मकरो वशी । निर्विकारी कथं त्वं हि न लिप्तश्च मया कथम्
parādhīnassadā tvaṃ hi nānākarmmakaro vaśī | nirvikārī kathaṃ tvaṃ hi na liptaśca mayā katham
“你似乎恒常依他而住，却又是自在的主宰，行作种种事业。若你真为不变者，何以不为业行所染？又何以不为我——普拉克里蒂/摩耶——所系缚？”
Pārvatī
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
Pārvatī raises a key Shaiva question: how Shiva can appear engaged in creation and deeds yet remain nirvikāra (unchanging) and alipta (untainted). The verse points to Shiva as Pati—supreme controller—whose actions do not bind Him the way karma binds the pashu (individual soul).
Linga worship trains the devotee to see the Lord as both manifest (saguṇa—graciously active as creator, protector, teacher) and transcendent (nirguṇa—beyond impurity and karmic limitation). This verse frames that paradox, encouraging reverence for Shiva’s immanence without losing sight of His transcendence.
Meditate on Shiva as “alipta” while doing japa of the Pañcākṣarī—Om Namaḥ Śivāya—offering actions mentally at the Linga and cultivating non-attachment. This supports a Mahāśivarātri-style vow of inner purity: act in the world, but dedicate results to Shiva.