Shloka 12

Mukti-bheda-nirūpaṇa (Classification of Liberation) and Śiva as the Sole Bestower of Mokṣa

Devanagari script

सत्यं ज्ञानमनंतं च सच्चिदानन्दसंज्ञितम् । निर्गुणो निरुपाधिश्चाव्ययः शुद्धो निरंजनः

Transliteration

satyaṃ jñānamanaṃtaṃ ca saccidānandasaṃjñitam | nirguṇo nirupādhiścāvyayaḥ śuddho niraṃjanaḥ

Translation

He is Truth and conscious Knowledge, infinite, and known as Sat–Cit–Ānanda (Existence–Consciousness–Bliss). He is beyond the guṇas, free from all limiting adjuncts (upādhis), imperishable, ever-pure, and stainless—untainted by any impurity.

Word by Word

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; विधेय/विशेष्यभावे

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन

• अनन्तम्: infinite
• अनन्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; विशेषण

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya-dyotaka (समुच्चयद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• सत्-चित्-आनन्द-संज्ञितम्: called ‘Sat-Cit-Ānanda’
• सत्-चित्-आनन्द-संज्ञितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + चित् (प्रातिपदिक) + आनन्द (प्रातिपदिक) + संज्ञित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘संज्ञित’ = ‘named/called’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘सच्चिदानन्द’ इति संज्ञया संज्ञितम्

• निर्गुणः: without qualities
• निर्गुणः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण

• निरुपाधिः: without limiting adjuncts
• निरुपाधिः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरुपाधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya-dyotaka (समुच्चयद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• अव्ययः: imperishable
• अव्ययः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण

• शुद्धः: pure
• शुद्धः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण

• निरञ्जनः: stainless, untainted
• निरञ्जनः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरञ्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s supreme characteristics to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse defines Shiva as the ultimate Pati (Lord) whose essence is Sat–Cit–Ānanda—absolute reality, luminous consciousness, and bliss—untainted by guṇas or impurities. Meditating on this nirguṇa nature loosens pāśa (bondage) and supports liberation (moksha).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

While the Jyotirlinga is worshiped as a tangible, saguna focus for devotion, this verse clarifies the inner truth: the Linga points to Shiva who is nirguṇa, nirupādhi, and nirañjana. Form-based worship becomes a doorway to realizing the formless, stainless reality it signifies.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with contemplation of Shiva as Sat–Cit–Ānanda and as nirguṇa. In temple or home worship, one may apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and offer water to the Linga while holding the intent of inner purity (śuddha) and freedom from impurities (nirañjana).