Shloka 77

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

असत्प्रतिग्रहसर्वं दुर्दानं सागरे क्षिपेत् । आहूय दानं कर्तव्यमात्मभोगसमृद्धये

Transliteration

asatpratigrahasarvaṃ durdānaṃ sāgare kṣipet | āhūya dānaṃ kartavyamātmabhogasamṛddhaye

Translation

Jede unrechtmäßige Gabe und aller Reichtum, der durch unwürdige Annahme erlangt wurde, soll ins Meer geworfen werden. Spenden soll man erst, nachdem man einen würdigen Empfänger ordnungsgemäß eingeladen hat, zum wahren Gedeihen rechtmäßigen Genusses und Wohlergehens.

Word by Word

• असत्-प्रतिग्रह-सर्वम्: all (gifts) from improper receiving
• असत्-प्रतिग्रह-सर्वम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असत् (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रतिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक) + सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण—‘all (that is) from improper acceptance’ (qualifying दुर्दानम्)

• दुर्-दानम्: ill-gotten gift
• दुर्-दानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर् (उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘bad/evil gift’

• सागरे: in the ocean
• सागरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सागर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• क्षिपेत्: should throw
• क्षिपेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; विधि—‘should throw’

• आहूय: having called
• आहूय: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आह्वा (धातु; आ+ह्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having called/invited’

• दानम्: gift/charity
• दानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Pradhāna (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय—‘to be done/should be performed’

• आत्म-भोग-समृद्धये: for one’s enjoyment-prosperity
• आत्म-भोग-समृद्धये: Sampradāna/Prayojana (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + भोग (प्रातिपदिक) + समृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; प्रयोजन (dative of purpose)—‘for the prosperity of one’s enjoyment’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: In Kāśī’s dharma frame, ill-gotten wealth is treated as pāśa; ‘casting into the ocean’ symbolizes deliberate renunciation/destruction of tainted artha to restore purity before approaching the sacred.

Significance: Teaches prāyaścitta-like disposal of adharmic gain; supports inner cleansing so pilgrimage and worship bear fruit.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that spiritual merit in Shaiva dharma depends not only on giving, but on the purity of what is given and how it is acquired; unrighteous gains obstruct inner purity and thus hinder Shiva’s grace.

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

Linga worship emphasizes śuddhi (purity) of body, mind, and offering; this verse extends that principle to charity—offerings and gifts connected with Shiva worship should be dharmically obtained and given to worthy recipients.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice disciplined dāna: invite a deserving recipient, give from clean earnings, and before Shiva-pūjā cultivate inner restraint (niyama) so that worship with mantra and offerings is not tainted by impure acquisition.