Shloka 4
Mukti-bheda-nirūpaṇa (Classification of Liberation) and Śiva as the Sole Bestower of Mokṣa
मुक्तेर्दाता मुनिश्रेष्ठाः केवलं शिव उच्यते । ब्रह्माद्या न हि ते ज्ञेया केवलं च त्रिवर्गदाः
mukterdātā muniśreṣṭhāḥ kevalaṃ śiva ucyate | brahmādyā na hi te jñeyā kevalaṃ ca trivargadāḥ
O best of sages, the giver of liberation is declared to be Śiva alone. Brahmā and the other deities should not be understood as such; they grant only the three worldly aims (dharma, artha, and kāma).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Doctrinally establishes Śiva as the unique mokṣa-dātā; pilgrimage and worship are thereby oriented to Śiva as the final refuge rather than to devatās who grant only trivarga.
FAQs
The verse establishes Śiva (Pati) as the sole bestower of moksha, while other divine powers operate within worldly fruition (dharma, artha, kāma). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, liberation comes through Śiva’s grace that cuts bondage (pāśa), not merely through merit or cosmic administration.
Kotirudra Samhita emphasizes Jyotirliṅga worship as a direct approach to Śiva’s saving grace. Worship of the Liṅga (saguṇa focus for devotees) is presented as a means to attain the Lord who alone can grant nirvāṇa/mukti, beyond the limited boons typically associated with other deities.
A practical takeaway is single-pointed Śiva-upāsanā—daily Liṅga pūjā with the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), along with traditional aids like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa, performed with the intention of moksha rather than only worldly gains.