Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 34
पार्वतीप्रार्थना—हिमवत्पार्श्वे भिक्षुरूपेण याचनम् | Pārvatī’s Request: Śiva to Seek Her in Beggar-Form at Himālaya’s Court
तथापि सगुणोपीह भक्तोद्धारपरायणः । विहारी स्वात्मनिरतो नानालीलाविशारदः
tathāpi saguṇopīha bhaktoddhāraparāyaṇaḥ | vihārī svātmanirato nānālīlāviśāradaḥ
然而即便如此，在此他仍示现有相（saguṇa）之身，专志救拔诸奉者。其于神圣戏游（līlā）中自在嬉戏，安住自性之我，善巧通达无量诸līlā。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a specific jyotirliṅga episode; the verse states the general Siddhāntic principle that the transcendent Lord (nirguṇa in essence) assumes saguṇa manifestation for bhaktoddhāra (devotee-uplift) through līlā.
Significance: Frames pilgrimage and darśana as encounters with Śiva’s gracious self-manifestation undertaken for anugraha; encourages approaching temples as sites of divine pedagogy (līlā) rather than mere worldly boons.
FAQs
It teaches that although Shiva is ultimately Self-established and transcendent, he willingly becomes saguṇa—accessible through form and qualities—so that devotees may be uplifted by his grace (anugraha) and led toward liberation.
The verse supports Saguna-upāsanā: Shiva takes manifest modes for bhaktas. Linga-worship is a central Shaiva Siddhanta way of approaching the same Supreme—formlessly supreme in essence, yet worshipfully present through a sacred, gracious manifestation.
A practical takeaway is bhakti-centered japa and pūjā to Saguna Shiva—especially Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady inner recollection of Shiva as the indwelling Self, offered with devotion for the uplift of the heart.