Shloka 51

Rudra-Śiva: Names, Two Natures, and the Logic of Epithets (रुद्रनाम-बहुरूपत्व-प्रकरणम्)

Devanagari script

सम्यग्दण्डे स्थितिर्धमो धर्मो वेदक्रतुर््रिया: । व्यवहारस्थितिर्धर्म: सत्यवाक्यरतिस्तथा

Transliteration

samyag-daṇḍe sthitir dharmo dharmo veda-kratur-kriyāḥ | vyavahāra-sthitir dharmaḥ satya-vākya-ratis tathā ||

Translation

Mahādeva sprach: „Dharma ist die feste Durchsetzung gerechter Strafe und Zucht. Dharma ist auch die Vollziehung vedischer Riten und Opferhandlungen. Dharma ist das rechte Verhalten in weltlichen Geschäften und im Rechtsverfahren; ebenso ist es die Freude am Wahrsprechen.“

Word by Word

• सम्यक्: properly, rightly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक्
• Form: Avyaya (indeclinable adverb)

• दण्डे: in punishment/discipline (in the rod of justice)
• दण्डे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• स्थितिः: steadfastness, establishment, proper standing
• स्थितिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थिति
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• धर्मः: dharma, righteousness
• धर्मः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• धर्मः: dharma
• धर्मः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• वेद: the Veda
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular (as first member in compound)

• क्रतु: sacrifice, ritual
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रतु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular (as middle member in compound)

• क्रियाः: actions, rites, observances
• क्रियाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• व्यवहार: practice, conduct; legal procedure
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यवहार
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular (as first member in compound)

• स्थितिः: established order, settled state
• स्थितिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थिति
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular (as second member in compound)

• धर्मः: dharma
• धर्मः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सत्य: true
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular (as first member in compound)

• वाक्य: speech, statement
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular (as middle member in compound)

• रतिः: delight, devotion, fondness
• रतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रति
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• तथा: thus, likewise, also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा
• Form: Avyaya (indeclinable)

Speaker

श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Śrīmaheśvara (Mahādeva/Śiva)
• Veda
• kratu (yajña/sacrifice)
• daṇḍa (punitive authority)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Dharma is presented as multi-dimensional: (1) the rightful maintenance of authority and punishment (daṇḍa) to uphold order, (2) the performance of Vedic sacrificial and ritual duties, (3) integrity in social and legal dealings (vyavahāra), and (4) a commitment to truthful speech.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Śrīmaheśvara speaks in a didactic mode, defining dharma not as a single act but as a framework that spans governance, ritual obligation, social/judicial conduct, and personal truthfulness.