Shloka 75
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
श्रेयसामिह सर्वेषां ज्ञानं नि:श्रेयसं परम् । सुखं तरति दुष्पारं ज्ञाननौर्व्यसनार्णवम् ॥ ७५ ॥
śreyasām iha sarveṣāṁ jñānaṁ niḥśreyasaṁ param sukhaṁ tarati duṣpāraṁ jñāna-naur vyasanārṇavam
श्रेयसामिह सर्वेषां ज्ञानं नि:श्रेयसं परम् । ज्ञाननौः तरति जनो दुष्पारं व्यसनार्णवम् ॥
Actually everyone is suffering within this material world due to ignorance. Every day we see that a person without knowledge commits some criminal act and is later arrested and punished, despite the fact that he actually may not have been conscious of his sinful activity. Such ignorance prevails throughout the world. People do not consider how they are risking their lives in an attempt to have illicit sex life, kill animals to satisfy their tongue, enjoy intoxication and gamble. It is very regrettable that the leaders of the world do not know of the effects of these sinful activities. They are instead taking things very easily and are succeeding in making the ocean of nescience wider and wider.
FAQs
This verse states that among all beneficial pursuits, spiritual knowledge is the supreme good (niḥśreyasa), and it carries one across the ocean of material distress.
Lord Śiva was guiding the Pracetās toward the highest welfare—inner realization that helps them transcend obstacles and fulfill their duty with spiritual clarity.
Cultivate steady study, reflection, and realized understanding of the self and the Supreme; this perspective helps you navigate crises without being overwhelmed by fear, loss, or anxiety.