Shloka 16

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

नियोगादेव तत्कार्यं भर्तॄणां द्विजसत्तमाः जपं दानं तपः सर्वम् अस्वतन्त्रा यतः स्त्रियः

Transliteration

niyogādeva tatkāryaṃ bhartṝṇāṃ dvijasattamāḥ japaṃ dānaṃ tapaḥ sarvam asvatantrā yataḥ striyaḥ

Translation

O best of the twice-born, those duties are to be undertaken only with the husband’s authorization, for women are regarded as not independent. Therefore all observances—japa (mantra-recitation), dāna (charitable giving), and tapas (austerity)—are to be performed in accordance with the husband’s directive.

Word by Word

• नियोगात् (niyogāt): by injunction/authorization

• एव (eva): indeed/only

• तत्-कार्यं (tat-kāryam): that duty/action to be done

• भर्तॄणाम् (bhartṝṇām): of husbands

• द्विज-सत्तमाः (dvija-sattamāḥ): O best of the twice-born (Brahmin sages)

• जपम् (japam): mantra-repetition

• दानम् (dānam): charity/gifting

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity/penance

• सर्वम् (sarvam): all

• अस्वतन्त्रा (asvatantrā): not independent

• यतः (yataḥ): because/since

• स्त्रियः (striyaḥ): women

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana dharma-teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Brahmin sages (Dvijas)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Shiva-worship practices (japa, dāna, tapas) within household dharma, emphasizing that observances should follow prescribed authority and discipline rather than personal impulse.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it presents Shiva-bhakti as dharma-governed sādhana: devotion to Pati (Shiva) is pursued through ordered conduct that steadies the pashu (individual soul) and reduces pasha (bondage) via regulated practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Japa, dāna, and tapas are highlighted as core disciplines; in a Shaiva framework these function as purificatory auxiliaries that support Shiva-puja and the gradual loosening of pasha through disciplined living.