Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

ज्ञानं तु दुष्करं लोके भजनं सुकरं मतम् । तस्माच्छिवं च भजत मुक्त्यर्थमपि सत्तमाः

Transliteration

jñānaṃ tu duṣkaraṃ loke bhajanaṃ sukaraṃ matam | tasmācchivaṃ ca bhajata muktyarthamapi sattamāḥ

Translation

In this world, liberating knowledge is indeed hard to attain, whereas bhajana—devotional worship—is held to be easy. Therefore, O best among the virtuous, worship Lord Śiva, even for the sake of liberation (mokṣa).

Word by Word

• jñānam: knowledge
• jñānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (विरोध/विशेषार्थक निपात)

• duṣkaram: difficult
• duṣkaram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duṣkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate adjective to jñānam

• loke: in the world
• loke: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• bhajanam: devotion/worship
• bhajanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhajana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• sukaram: easy
• sukaram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sukara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate adjective to bhajanam

• matam: is considered
• matam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; 'considered/held (to be)'

• tasmāt: therefore/from that
• tasmāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablatival adverb (तस्मात्-प्रयोगः; हेत्वर्थे)

• śivam: Śiva
• śivam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• bhajata: worship/serve
• bhajata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhaj (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), Parasmaipada; 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Plural

• mukti-artham: for liberation
• mukti-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukti (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; purpose accusative: 'for the sake of liberation'

• api: also/even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (अपि = even/also)

• sattamāḥ: O best of the good
• sattamāḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat-tama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Plural; superlative (तमप्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse prioritizes accessible devotion (bhajana) to Lord Shiva as a direct, practical means toward moksha, acknowledging that abstract liberating knowledge is difficult for most people in worldly life.

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

By urging “worship Shiva,” it supports Saguna upasana—approaching Shiva through concrete devotional forms such as Shiva-linga worship, pilgrimage, and daily puja—leading the devotee toward liberation through Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is regular Shiva-bhajana: daily puja and mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), supported by traditional Shaiva observances like vibhuti (tripuṇḍra) and rudraksha where applicable.