Shloka 21
Mukti-bheda-nirūpaṇa (Classification of Liberation) and Śiva as the Sole Bestower of Mokṣa
नैष्ठिक्यनैष्ठिकीभेदाद्विविधैव हि कीर्तिता । षड्विधा नैष्ठिकी भेदाद्द्वितीयैकविधा स्मृता
naiṣṭhikyanaiṣṭhikībhedādvividhaiva hi kīrtitā | ṣaḍvidhā naiṣṭhikī bhedāddvitīyaikavidhā smṛtā
നൈഷ്ഠിക്യവും നൈഷ്ഠികീയും എന്ന ഭേദം മൂലം ഭക്തി രണ്ടുവിധമെന്നു കീര്ത്തിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. അവയിൽ നൈഷ്ഠികീ അന്തർഭേദങ്ങളാൽ ഷഡ്വിധം; രണ്ടാമത്തേത് (നൈഷ്ഠിക്യം) ഏകവിധമെന്നു സ്മൃതം പറയുന്നു.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames spiritual discipline as a structured path: steadfast commitment is not vague but classified, and the higher Naiṣṭhikī steadiness is presented as having multiple refined modes—highlighting progressive maturation of devotion and practice toward Shiva-realization and liberation.
By emphasizing niṣṭhā (unbroken steadiness), it supports Saguna Shiva worship—such as Linga-pūjā, mantra-japa, and daily observances—where continuity and unwavering focus are central; the sixfold Naiṣṭhikī divisions imply increasingly subtle forms of committed Shiva-upāsanā.
The practical takeaway is consistency: maintain daily Shiva worship with steady japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with supportive Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa, so that practice becomes Naiṣṭhikī—uninterrupted and mature.