Shloka 25

द्विजेश्वरावतारः

The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara

Devanagari script

क्षत्रस्यायं परो धर्मो क्षताच्च परिरक्षणम् । तस्मिन्कुलोचिते धर्मे नष्टे त्वज्जीवितेन किम्

Transliteration

kṣatrasyāyaṃ paro dharmo kṣatācca parirakṣaṇam | tasminkulocite dharme naṣṭe tvajjīvitena kim

Translation

Für einen Kṣatriya ist dies das höchste Dharma: vor Verletzung zu schützen und das Reich zu bewahren. Wenn diese, deinem Geschlecht gemäße Pflicht verloren ist, welchen Wert hat dann dein eigenes Leben?

Word by Word

• क्षत्रस्य: of the kṣatriya
• क्षत्रस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• परः: highest
• परः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• धर्मः: duty / dharma
• धर्मः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• क्षतात्: from harm
• क्षतात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; अपादान (from injury/harm)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• परि-रक्षणम्: protection
• परि-रक्षणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परि-रक्ष् (धातु) → रक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कृदन्त-भाववाचक (action noun: protection)

• तस्मिन्: in that
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरणे (in that)

• कुल-उचिते: proper to the clan
• कुल-उचिते: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक) + उचित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (proper to the family/clan)

• धर्मे: in (that) duty
• धर्मे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• नष्टे: when (it is) lost
• नष्टे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश् (धातु) → नष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute: when it is lost)

• त्वत्: your
• त्वत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; सम्बन्धे (your)

• जीवितेन: with (your) life
• जीवितेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण (by/with life)

• किम्: what? / of what use?
• किम्: Prashna (प्रश्न/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; प्रश्नार्थक (interrogative: what use?)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shatarudra Samhita dialogue to the sages at Naimisharanya, conveying a kshatriya counsel within the story)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that dharma is not optional—especially for those born to protect others. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, fulfilling one’s rightful duty purifies the soul (paśu) and makes it fit to receive Shiva’s grace, whereas abandoning dharma strengthens bondage (pāśa).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Linga-worship is not mere ritual; it is grounded in ethical life. This verse insists that devotion to Saguna Shiva must be supported by righteous conduct—here, the kshatriya’s vow to protect—so worship becomes an offering of one’s role and responsibility to Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is to combine duty with Shiva-remembrance: perform daily japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") before action and dedicate protection/service as a mental offering to Shiva; if initiated, accompany it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a steady vow of non-neglect of rightful duty.