Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
नारदस्य विष्णूपदेशवर्णनम् — Nārada and Viṣṇu: Instruction after Delusion
गतिस्स कपटा तेऽतिप्रिया विष्णो विशेषतः । साधुस्वभावो न भवान्स्वतंत्रः प्रभुणा कृतः
gatissa kapaṭā te'tipriyā viṣṇo viśeṣataḥ | sādhusvabhāvo na bhavānsvataṃtraḥ prabhuṇā kṛtaḥ
噢毗湿奴（Viṣṇu），你这诡曲的行径对你尤为可爱。你本性并不坦直，也非自主；你只是依至上主宰所造就并所驱使而行。
Brahmā (in the Sṛṣṭi narrative, addressing Viṣṇu; ultimately narrated by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
FAQs
It asserts Shaiva Siddhanta’s core principle that Pati (Śiva) is the Supreme governor, while other divine powers act within His ordinance; true liberation comes from aligning with that higher Lordship rather than egoic independence.
By emphasizing Śiva as the ultimate Prabhu, it supports Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship as a direct orientation to the Supreme Pati who guides creation and the roles of Brahmā and Viṣṇu.
Cultivate surrender (śaraṇāgati) to Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” coupled with simple daily Śiva-pūjā (e.g., offering water to the Liṅga) to reduce self-will and align with divine order.