Shloka 72

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

आत्मवित्तं त्रिधा कुर्याद्धर्मवृद्ध्यात्मभोगतः । नित्यं नैमित्तकं काम्यं कर्म कुर्यात्तु धर्मतः

Transliteration

ātmavittaṃ tridhā kuryāddharmavṛddhyātmabhogataḥ | nityaṃ naimittakaṃ kāmyaṃ karma kuryāttu dharmataḥ

Translation

Man soll sein eigenes Vermögen in drei Teile teilen: zur Mehrung des Dharma, für Lebensunterhalt und rechtmäßigen Genuss, und für persönliche Bedürfnisse. Dem Dharma gemäß soll man die täglichen Pflicht­handlungen, die gelegentlichen Riten und auch die von einem Wunsch veranlassten Handlungen vollziehen.

Word by Word

• ātma-vittam: one's wealth
• ātma-vittam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + vitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tridhā: into three parts
• tridhā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tridhā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), 'in three parts/threefold'

• kuryāt: should divide/do
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• dharma-vṛddhi-ātma-bhogataḥ: as (for) dharma, growth, and personal enjoyment
• dharma-vṛddhi-ātma-bhogataḥ: Hetu/Adhikaraṇa (हेतु/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛddhi (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + bhoga (प्रातिपदिक) + -tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: समासान्त तसिल् (ablatival adverb) 'in terms of/with respect to'; (धर्म-वृद्धि) + (आत्म-भोग) इति तत्पुरुष-समाससमूह; अव्ययप्रयोगः

• nityam: daily/regular
• nityam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मविशेषण (as adjective to karma)

• naimittakam: occasional (ritual)
• naimittakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naimittaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मविशेषण

• kāmyam: desire-motivated (optional)
• kāmyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मविशेषण

• karma: action/rite
• karma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• kuryāt: should perform
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात, विशेषार्थक

• dharmataḥ: according to dharma
• dharmataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + -tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिलन्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): 'according to dharma/from righteousness'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches disciplined stewardship of wealth and a dharma-centered life: resources and actions should be ordered so that merit (dharma) grows, life is sustained rightly, and duties are fulfilled—creating purity that supports Shiva-bhakti and liberation.

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is sustained by dharmic conduct and properly performed rites; this verse frames ritual life (daily and occasional observances) as dharma-based action that becomes an offering to Saguna Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies regular performance of nitya and naimittika worship—such as daily Shiva-puja with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara) and observances on sacred occasions—while keeping kāmya rites subordinate to dharma.