Shloka 41

Vāmadeva-mata: Rahasya-upadeśa

The Esoteric Teaching of Vāmadeva’s Doctrine

Devanagari script

तथापि धर्म्मरक्षायै लोकानुग्रहकांक्षया । त्वादृशा साधवस्सन्तो विचरन्ति महीतले

Transliteration

tathāpi dharmmarakṣāyai lokānugrahakāṃkṣayā | tvādṛśā sādhavassanto vicaranti mahītale

Translation

Even so, for the protection of dharma and out of the wish to bestow grace upon the worlds, holy sādhus and true devotees like you continue to wander upon the earth.

Word by Word

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (thus/in that way)

• अपि: even/though
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपवादार्थक-अव्यय (also/even/however)

• धर्मरक्षायै: for protecting dharma
• धर्मरक्षायै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदानार्थ (for the protection of dharma)

• लोकानुग्रहकांक्षया: with the desire to benefit the world
• लोकानुग्रहकांक्षया: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक + अनुग्रह + कांक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; हेतुवाचक (by/with the desire for benefiting people)

• त्वादृशाः: people like you
• त्वादृशाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्वादृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘you-like’ (similar to you)

• साधवः: saints/good men
• साधवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• सन्तः: virtuous
• सन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; साधवः इत्यस्य विशेषण (virtuous/being)

• विचरन्ति: wander/move about
• विचरन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चर् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• महीतले: on the earth’s surface
• महीतले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही + तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; अधिकरण

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on anugraha (divine grace): realized sādhus do not live only for personal liberation, but move among people to uphold dharma and become instruments of Shiva’s compassion in the world.

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

By affirming loka-anugraha, the verse supports Saguna Shiva worship as lived compassion—devotees who worship Shiva (often through the Linga) embody His grace by guiding others toward dharma, devotion, and right conduct.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is seva with japa: keep steady Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and maintain sāttvika conduct, using one’s life to protect dharma and offer guidance—this is an outward expression of inner Shiva-bhakti.