Shloka 42
Śivapūjā-stuti: Deva-Ṛṣi-Paramparāyāṃ Śaṃkara-caritasya Prastāvaḥ
Prelude to Śaṃkara’s narrative and the lineage of Śiva-worship
ततो राज्यं परित्यज्य शिवधर्मपरायणः । शिववेषधरो भक्त्या दुर्लभं मोक्षमाप्तवान्
tato rājyaṃ parityajya śivadharmaparāyaṇaḥ | śivaveṣadharo bhaktyā durlabhaṃ mokṣamāptavān
اس کے بعد اس نے سلطنت چھوڑ دی؛ شِو دھرم میں یکسو ہو کر، شَیو ویش دھار کر، بھکتی کے ذریعے وہ دشوار یاب موکش کو پا گیا۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: The verse frames mokṣa as rare and attained through Śiva-bhakti coupled with śivadharma (Śaiva conduct) and external marks (śivaveṣa), echoing the Siddhānta emphasis on disciplined practice culminating in Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
FAQs
The verse teaches that moksha arises from wholehearted alignment with Śiva-dharma—inner surrender expressed as renunciation and steadfast devotion—showing Śiva as Pati (the liberating Lord) who grants the rare fruit of liberation to the sincere bhakta.
By emphasizing Śiva-dharma and Śaiva marks/guise, it points to Saguna Śiva-upāsanā—living as a Śiva-bhakta with disciplined conduct and worship (often centered on the Liṅga)—as a powerful means that matures into liberation by Śiva’s grace.
Adopt Śiva-dharma in daily life: maintain bhakti, keep Śaiva observances and outward signs (such as tripuṇḍra-bhasma and rudrākṣa where traditional), and stabilize the mind with japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a direct, devotion-filled practice.