Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

विहिताविहिताभेदात्तामनेकां विदुर्बुधाः । तयोर्बहुविधत्वाच्च विस्तारो न हि वर्ण्यते

Transliteration

vihitāvihitābhedāttāmanekāṃ vidurbudhāḥ | tayorbahuvidhatvācca vistāro na hi varṇyate

Translation

Because it is distinguished as ‘enjoined’ and ‘not enjoined’, the wise know that (this practice/observance) is of many kinds. And since both of these have numerous varieties, their detailed expansion is not described here.

Word by Word

• विहित-अविहित-भेदात्: from the distinction of prescribed and non-prescribed
• विहित-अविहित-भेदात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Ablative cause-source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विहित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + अविहित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + भेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; Ablative singular; द्वन्द्व (विहित + अविहित) as first member, then तत्पुरुष with भेद; ‘from the distinction of prescribed and non-prescribed’

• ताम्: that (one)
• ताम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular pronoun

• अनेकाम्: many/various
• अनेकाम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular; विशेषण of ताम्

• विदुः: know/consider
• विदुः: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• बुधाः: the wise
• बुधाः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• तयोः: of those two
• तयोः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विवचनार्थे, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), द्विवचन; Genitive dual

• बहु-विधत्वात्: because of their many varieties
• बहु-विधत्वात्: हेतु/अपादान (Cause; Ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + विध (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; Ablative singular; ‘because of being of many kinds’

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• विस्तारः: detailed exposition
• विस्तारः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विस्तार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• न: not
• न: निषेध (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय; negation

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; emphasis/causal nuance (‘indeed/for’)

• वर्ण्यते: is described
• वर्ण्यते: क्रिया (Main verb; passive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वर्ण् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive) ‘is described’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches discernment in Shaiva life: practices are understood as scripturally enjoined (vihita) or not enjoined (avihita), and the seeker should prioritize what aligns with dharma and Shiva’s revealed path rather than chasing countless optional variations.

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is meant to be grounded in vihita observances—proper mantra, purity, devotion, and prescribed offerings—while avoiding avihita innovations that may be driven by ego or superstition rather than devotion to Saguna Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Follow prescribed Shaiva disciplines: steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and orthodox Shiva-puja with approved items such as bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudraksha, rather than unprescribed or harmful practices.