Shloka 26

द्विजेश्वरावतारः

The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara

Devanagari script

आर्तानां शरणाप्तानां त्राणं कुर्वन्ति पार्थिवाः । प्राणैरर्थैश्च धर्मज्ञास्तद्विना च मृतोपमा

Transliteration

ārtānāṃ śaraṇāptānāṃ trāṇaṃ kurvanti pārthivāḥ | prāṇairarthaiśca dharmajñāstadvinā ca mṛtopamā

Translation

Rechtschaffene Könige, die das Dharma kennen, schützen die Bedrängten, die Zuflucht suchen – selbst um den Preis ihres eigenen Lebens und Reichtums. Ohne diese Schutzpflicht sind sie so gut wie tot.

Word by Word

• आर्तानाम्: of the afflicted
• आर्तानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध/genitive), बहुवचन

• शरणाप्तानाम्: of those who have sought refuge
• शरणाप्तानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण + आप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः शरणम् आप्ताः (द्वितीया-तत्पुरुषः)

• त्राणम्: protection
• त्राणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/object), एकवचन

• कुर्वन्ति: do, provide
• कुर्वन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान/present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपदी

• पार्थिवाः: kings, rulers
• पार्थिवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/subject), बहुवचन

• प्राणैः: with (their) lives
• प्राणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/instrumental), बहुवचन

• अर्थैः: with wealth/resources
• अर्थैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/instrumental), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• धर्मज्ञाः: knowers of dharma
• धर्मज्ञाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्मज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् ‘पार्थिवाः’; समासः धर्मं जानाति (उपपद-तत्पुरुषः)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘that (protection)’

• विना: without
• विना: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्गसदृश-अव्यय/निपात (preposition-like indeclinable)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मृतोपमाः: like the dead
• मृतोपमाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृत + उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (implied subject: ‘they’/‘such kings’); समासः मृत इव उपमाः (कर्मधारयः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Frames royal dharma as a worldly analogue of Śiva’s pālana/anugraha: protecting the afflicted accrues puṇya and prepares the paśu for Śiva’s grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

FAQs

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

It elevates śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) and the protection of the afflicted as a core dharmic duty; in Shaiva understanding, serving and safeguarding those who surrender is a form of devotion aligned with Shiva’s compassionate lordship (Pati) over beings.

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

Saguna Shiva is worshipped as the protector and refuge of devotees; this verse mirrors that divine function in human governance—kings are expected to embody Shiva-like guardianship, making righteous protection an extension of Shiva-bhakti rather than mere politics.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is seva and protection as worship—combine daily japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of compassion (abhaya-dāna), supporting the distressed through resources, advocacy, or shelter as an offering to Shiva.