Shloka 6
Mukti-bheda-nirūpaṇa (Classification of Liberation) and Śiva as the Sole Bestower of Mokṣa
ज्ञानरूपोऽव्ययः साक्षी ज्ञानगम्योऽद्वयस्स्वयम् । कैवल्यमुक्तिदस्सोऽत्र त्रिवर्गस्य प्रदोऽपि हि
jñānarūpo'vyayaḥ sākṣī jñānagamyo'dvayassvayam | kaivalyamuktidasso'tra trivargasya prado'pi hi
ते ज्ञानस्वरूप, अव्यय व अंतःसाक्षी आहेत। ज्ञानाने ते प्राप्त होतात आणि स्वतः अद्वय आहेत। तेच कैवल्य-मुक्ती देतात; तसेच येथे त्रिवर्ग (धर्म-अर्थ-काम)ही प्रदान करतात॥
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Supports jñāna-oriented Śiva-upāsanā: realizing Śiva as sākṣin and advaya leads to kaivalya-mukti; also legitimizes seeking trivarga under Śiva’s lordship while aiming for mokṣa.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse presents Shiva as the imperishable inner Witness and the non-dual reality, attainable through jñāna; it teaches that realization of Shiva culminates in kaivalya (liberation), while also affirming His power to grant worldly well-being under dharma.
Though Shiva is described as non-dual consciousness (nirguṇa in essence), devotees approach Him through saguna worship such as the Jyotirlinga/Linga; the same Lord who is the inner Witness becomes accessible through sacred form, bestowing both bhukti (trivarga) and mukti (kaivalya).
A key takeaway is jñāna-oriented meditation: contemplate Shiva as the sākṣī (witness-consciousness) while maintaining devotional Linga worship; supporting Shaiva practices like japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and bhasma/rudrākṣa observances can be aligned to seek both purity and liberation.