Shloka 80
Rudra-Śiva: Names, Two Natures, and the Logic of Epithets (रुद्रनाम-बहुरूपत्व-प्रकरणम्)
निवृत्तिलक्षणस्त्वन्यो धर्मो मोक्षाय तिष्ठति । तस्य वृत्तिं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु मे देवि तत्त्वतः,इससे भिज्न निवृत्तिरूप धर्म है। वह मोक्षका साधन है। देवि! मैं यथार्थरूपसे उसका स्वरूप बताता हूँ, उसे सुनो
nivṛttilakṣaṇas tv anyo dharmo mokṣāya tiṣṭhati | tasya vṛttiṃ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇu me devi tattvataḥ ||
There is, however, another form of dharma—marked by withdrawal and renunciation—which stands as the means to liberation. I shall explain its true course and practice; listen to me, O Goddess, in accordance with reality.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes a special dharma characterized by nivṛtti (renunciatory withdrawal) and states that this dharma is specifically oriented toward mokṣa (liberation). It introduces that liberation is supported not merely by worldly duty (pravṛtti) but by a disciplined turning away from attachment and sense-driven action.
Maheśvara (Śiva) addresses Devī (Pārvatī/Umā), announcing that he will explain the practical nature (vṛtti) of the renunciatory dharma. The verse functions as a transition into a more detailed exposition of the path of liberation.