Shloka 44

त्रिपुरदीक्षाविधानम् — Tripura Dīkṣā: Prescriptive Procedure

Chapter on the Ordinance of Initiation

Devanagari script

अथ तं नारदं प्राह विष्णुर्मुनिमतां वरः । लोकोपकारनिरतो देवकार्यकरस्सदा

Transliteration

atha taṃ nāradaṃ prāha viṣṇurmunimatāṃ varaḥ | lokopakāranirato devakāryakarassadā

Translation

Then Lord Viṣṇu—foremost in wisdom among the sages—addressed Nārada, ever intent on the welfare of the worlds and always engaged in accomplishing the work of the gods.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then/now)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• नारदम्: Nārada
• नारदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्राह: said
• प्राह: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आह्/अह् (धातु; ब्रू-अर्थे)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; अर्थः—"said/spoke"

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मुनिमताम्: of the sages
• मुनिमताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनिमत् (प्रातिपदिक; मुनि + मत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (मुनयः येषां ते = sages/wise)

• वरः: the best
• वरः: Karta-apposition (कर्ता-विशेषण/समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विष्णोः विशेषणरूपेण

• लोक-उपकार-निरतः: devoted to the welfare of the world
• लोक-उपकार-निरतः: Karta-dharma (कर्तृ-धर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक + उपकार + निरत (प्रातिपदिक; निरत < नि-रम्/रञ्ज्? प्रचलित विशेषण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (लोकस्य उपकारे निरतः = devoted to helping the world)

• देवकार्यकरः: performer of the gods' work
• देवकार्यकरः: Karta-dharma (कर्तृ-धर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव + कार्य + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (देवानां कार्यं करोति = doer of divine tasks)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kala-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: नित्यत्ववाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Vishnu

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Narada

FAQs

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

It highlights the ideal of lokopakāra—selfless service for the welfare of beings—as a divine virtue; in Shaiva understanding, such dharmic action supports the cosmic order ultimately governed by Pati (Śiva).

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

Though Śiva is not named here, the Yuddha-khaṇḍa frames divine activity as part of protecting dharma; worship of the Liṅga (Saguna focus) is traditionally paired with conduct that benefits the world, aligning devotion with righteous action.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to combine japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with lokopakāra—acts of service and protection of dharma—as an offering to Śiva, especially during vrata days like Mahāśivarātri.