Shloka 7

Adhyaya 87 — Saṃsāra-viṣa-kathana: Ājñā-śakti, Māyā-bandha, and Mokṣa by Prasāda

Devanagari script

धृतिरेषा मया निष्ठा ज्ञानशक्तिः क्रिया तथा इच्छाख्या च तथा ह्याज्ञा द्वे विद्ये न च संशयः

Transliteration

dhṛtireṣā mayā niṣṭhā jñānaśaktiḥ kriyā tathā icchākhyā ca tathā hyājñā dve vidye na ca saṃśayaḥ

Translation

This steadfastness is My own unshakable resolve. There is the Śakti of knowledge and likewise the Śakti of action; there is also the Śakti called “will,” and also “command.” Know, without doubt, that sacred vidyā is of two ways—the path of knowledge and the path of action.

Word by Word

• धृतिः (dhṛtiḥ): steadfastness, sustaining resolve

• एषा (eṣā): this

• मया (mayā): by Me / of Me

• निष्ठा (niṣṭhā): firm establishment, unwavering commitment

• ज्ञानशक्तिः (jñāna-śaktiḥ): power of knowledge, cognition-energy

• क्रिया (kriyā): action, ritual performance, transformative practice

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• इच्छाख्या (icchā-khyā): known as will, desire-to-act

• च (ca): and

• तथा (tathā): also

• हि (hi): indeed

• आज्ञा (ājñā): command, ordinance, governing directive

• द्वे (dve): two

• विद्ये (vidye): knowledges, disciplines (vidyā)

• न (na): not

• च (ca): and

• संशयः (saṁśayaḥ): doubt.

Speaker

Shiva (as Pati teaching about Shakti and Vidya, within Suta's narration)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Linga-upasana as both inner realization (jñāna) and disciplined practice (kriyā), showing that worship matures when the pashu (soul) aligns its will and actions with Shiva’s ājñā (divine ordinance).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is presented as Pati whose sovereignty expresses through śakti—knowledge, action, will, and command—by which He sustains order and guides the bound soul (pashu) beyond pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports a twofold discipline: jñāna (contemplative insight into Shiva-tattva) and kriyā (Pashupata-aligned sadhana such as mantra, puja, and regulated conduct performed under divine ājñā).