Shloka 21
Mukti-bheda-nirūpaṇa (Classification of Liberation) and Śiva as the Sole Bestower of Mokṣa
नैष्ठिक्यनैष्ठिकीभेदाद्विविधैव हि कीर्तिता । षड्विधा नैष्ठिकी भेदाद्द्वितीयैकविधा स्मृता
naiṣṭhikyanaiṣṭhikībhedādvividhaiva hi kīrtitā | ṣaḍvidhā naiṣṭhikī bhedāddvitīyaikavidhā smṛtā
Because of the distinction between (general) steadfastness and the Naiṣṭhikī form of steadfastness, it is indeed declared to be of two kinds. Of these, Naiṣṭhikī is said to be sixfold by its internal divisions, whereas the second (the other category) is remembered as only onefold.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames spiritual discipline as a structured path: steadfast commitment is not vague but classified, and the higher Naiṣṭhikī steadiness is presented as having multiple refined modes—highlighting progressive maturation of devotion and practice toward Shiva-realization and liberation.
By emphasizing niṣṭhā (unbroken steadiness), it supports Saguna Shiva worship—such as Linga-pūjā, mantra-japa, and daily observances—where continuity and unwavering focus are central; the sixfold Naiṣṭhikī divisions imply increasingly subtle forms of committed Shiva-upāsanā.
The practical takeaway is consistency: maintain daily Shiva worship with steady japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with supportive Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa, so that practice becomes Naiṣṭhikī—uninterrupted and mature.