Shloka 20
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
तदा तु शिवसायुज्यमायुधाद्यैः क्रियादिभिः । महाप्रसादलाभे च बुद्धिश्चापि वशा भवेत्
tadā tu śivasāyujyamāyudhādyaiḥ kriyādibhiḥ | mahāprasādalābhe ca buddhiścāpi vaśā bhavet
Then, through the prescribed observances—beginning with the use of the sacred implements and other ritual disciplines—one attains union with Śiva. And upon receiving the Great Grace (mahāprasāda) of Śiva, even the intellect becomes mastered and obedient (steadied in His way).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vidyeshvara teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Links kriyā (ritual discipline) with mahāprasāda (decisive grace): pilgrimage and temple-ritual are efficacious when they mature into Śiva’s anugraha that steadies buddhi and dissolves bondage.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that liberation (śiva-sāyujya) is fulfilled not merely by personal effort but by Śiva’s mahāprasāda; when that grace dawns, the mind’s discerning faculty (buddhi) becomes steady and aligned with Śiva.
The verse points to “kriyā” and ritual requisites (āyudha-ādi), which in the Vidyeshvara context includes disciplined Saguna worship—such as Linga-upāsanā—through which devotion ripens and Śiva’s grace grants inner mastery and liberation.
It implies faithful performance of Shaiva kriyā—regular worship with proper ritual aids and disciplined observances—supported by mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), leading to the grace that steadies the intellect.