Shloka 21

दशशैवव्रतप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the Ten Principal Śaiva Vratas

Devanagari script

एतस्माच्च मतादन्यन्नास्ति नृणां हितावहम् । एतद्व्रतन्तु सर्वेषां धर्मसाधनमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

etasmācca matādanyannāsti nṛṇāṃ hitāvaham | etadvratantu sarveṣāṃ dharmasādhanamuttamam

Translation

Apart from this observance taught by me, there is nothing else that is more truly beneficial for human beings. Indeed, this vow is the supreme means for all to accomplish dharma.

Word by Word

• एतस्मात्: from this
• एतस्मात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (neuter), पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (Ablative/5th), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; समुच्चयार्थक-निपातः (conjunction)

• मतात्: from the doctrine/opinion
• मतात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (neuter), पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (Ablative/5th), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• अन्यत्: anything else
• अन्यत्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• न: not
• न: निषेध (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपातः (negation particle)

• अस्ति: exists/is
• अस्ति: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• नृणाम्: of men/people
• नृणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे (masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (Genitive/6th), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• हितावहम्: bringing welfare
• हितावहम्: विशेषण (Adjective of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित-आवह (प्रातिपदिक; components: हित + आवह)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular); विशेषणम् (qualifying 'अन्यत्')

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• व्रतम्: vow
• व्रतम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; apposition with एतत्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपातः (contrast/emphasis particle)

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक-प्रयोगे (common), षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (Genitive/6th), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• धर्मसाधनम्: a means to dharma
• धर्मसाधनम्: विधेय (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म-साधन (प्रातिपदिक; components: धर्म + साधन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• उत्तमम्: supreme/best
• उत्तमम्: विशेषण (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular); विशेषणम् (qualifying धर्मसाधनम्)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a localized sthala narrative; Śiva Himself proclaims the universal welfare of this vrata as supreme dharma-sādhana.

Significance: Authoritative elevation of the vow as universally beneficial; frames Śivarātri as a direct channel of Śiva’s anugraha for all varṇas/āśramas.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

Shiva declares that a specific Shiva-centered vrata is uniquely welfare-giving for humans and is the supreme instrument for establishing dharma—implying that disciplined observance, devotion, and right conduct are direct supports to grace and spiritual upliftment.

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

In the Kotirudra context (Jyotirlinga-oriented devotion), calling the vrata the best dharma-sādhana points to Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga worship and pilgrimage-linked observances—as a highly effective, accessible path for householders and seekers.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse emphasizes vrata (disciplined religious observance); in Shaiva practice this typically includes Shiva-pūjā (often Linga worship), japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and purity disciplines such as fasting or regulated conduct as prescribed for the vow.