Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

भक्तिज्ञाने न भिन्ने हि शंभुना वर्णिते द्विजाः । तस्माद्भेदो न कर्तव्यस्तत्कर्तुस्सर्वदा सुखम्

Transliteration

bhaktijñāne na bhinne hi śaṃbhunā varṇite dvijāḥ | tasmādbhedo na kartavyastatkartussarvadā sukham

Translation

O twice-born sages, Śambhu has indeed declared that devotion (bhakti) and spiritual knowledge (jñāna) are not truly separate. Therefore no division should be made between them; for the one who practices them in harmony, there is happiness at all times.

Word by Word

• भक्ति-ज्ञाने: in devotion and knowledge
• भक्ति-ज्ञाने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), द्विवचन/एकवचन-रूपे (समाहारद्वन्द्वे एकवचनं सामान्यं); here: Locative (in devotion and knowledge); द्वन्द्व ‘भक्ति च ज्ञानं च’

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

• भिन्ने: different/separate
• भिन्ने: अवस्था (State/predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भिद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), द्विवचन/बहुवचन-रूपे; here agreeing with bhaktijñāne (locative): ‘being different/separate’

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

• शंभुना: by Śambhu (Śiva)
• शंभुना: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument; agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• वर्णिते: when described
• वर्णिते: सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध (Locative absolute)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वर्ण् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग/स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), द्विवचन; locative absolute with bhaktijñāne: ‘when described’

• द्विजाः: O twice-born (Brahmins)
• द्विजाः: सम्बोधन (Address/Vocative function)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; Vocative-like address in context though form = nominative plural

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: हेतु/अपादान (Cause; Ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; Ablative singular

• भेदः: difference/distinction
• भेदः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

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

• कर्तव्यः: should be made
• कर्तव्यः: विधेय (Predicate/obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘to be done/should be made’

• तत्-कर्तुः: for that doer/practitioner
• तत्-कर्तुः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; Genitive singular; तत्पुरुष ‘तस्य कर्ता’

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: कालाधिकरण (Temporal adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय; adverb ‘always’

• सुखम्: happiness/ease
• सुखम्: विधेय (Predicate nominal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st)/द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; here predicate nominative: ‘(it is) happiness/ease’

Speaker

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

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Śambhu)

FAQs

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

It teaches that in Shaiva understanding, true devotion to Shiva naturally matures into liberating knowledge, and genuine knowledge culminates in devotion—so separating the two creates an artificial split on the path to moksha.

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

Linga worship expresses bhakti through form and ritual, while contemplation of Shiva as the supreme Pati (Lord) yields jñāna; this verse affirms that both together complete Shaiva sadhana rather than competing as separate approaches.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Unite mantra-japa (especially Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Linga-puja with reflective inquiry into Shiva’s nature as Pati; practice devotion outwardly and insight inwardly as one integrated discipline.