Shloka 15

Adhyaya 87 — Saṃsāra-viṣa-kathana: Ājñā-śakti, Māyā-bandha, and Mokṣa by Prasāda

Devanagari script

तदा मुक्तिः क्षणादेव नान्यथा कर्मकोटिभिः क्रमो ऽविवक्षितो भूतविवृद्धः परमेष्ठिनः

Transliteration

tadā muktiḥ kṣaṇādeva nānyathā karmakoṭibhiḥ kramo 'vivakṣito bhūtavivṛddhaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

Translation

അപ്പോൾ ക്ഷണത്തിൽ തന്നെ മോക്ഷം ലഭിക്കുന്നു—കോടിക്കണക്കിന് കർമ്മങ്ങളാലും മറ്റെങ്ങനെമല്ല. ജീവികളെ വർധിപ്പിച്ച് പോഷിക്കുന്ന പരമേഷ്ഠിക്ക് ഘട്ടംഘട്ടമായ ക്രമം ഉദ്ദേശിച്ചതല്ല.

Word by Word

• tadā: then

• muktiḥ: liberation (release of the paśu from pāśa)

• kṣaṇāt eva: in a single moment indeed

• na anyathā: not otherwise

• karma-koṭibhiḥ: even by tens of millions of ritual/meritorious actions

• kramaḥ: gradual order, staged progression

• avivakṣitaḥ: not intended / not required

• bhūta-vivṛddhaḥ: the one who increases, nourishes, and expands beings

• parameṣṭhinaḥ: of the Supreme Lord (Pati), the highest ruler.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya; doctrinal statement reflecting Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on Pati’s grace)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It teaches that the fruit of Linga-centered devotion is not merely accumulated merit; final release comes by Shiva (Pati)’s anugraha (grace), which can dawn instantly when bondage (pāśa) is cut.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is Parameṣṭhin—the supreme ruler and nourisher of beings—who is not bound by karmic calculus; liberation is under His sovereign bestowal rather than a compulsory karmic sequence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse downplays karma-accumulation as the direct cause of moksha and implicitly elevates Pashupata-oriented surrender, inner purification, and grace-centered Shiva-bhakti as the decisive means.