Shloka 28

द्विजेश्वरावतारः

The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara

Devanagari script

वरं विषाशनं प्राज्ञैर्वरमग्निप्रवेशनम् । कृपणानामनाथानां दीनानामपरक्षणात्

Transliteration

varaṃ viṣāśanaṃ prājñairvaramagnipraveśanam | kṛpaṇānāmanāthānāṃ dīnānāmaparakṣaṇāt

Translation

The wise declare that it is better to swallow poison, better even to enter the fire, than to fail to protect the wretched, the helpless, and the afflicted.

Word by Word

• वरम्: better
• वरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• विषाशनम्: eating poison
• विषाशनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष + अशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/subject), एकवचन; समासः विषस्य अशनम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• प्राज्ञैः: by the wise
• प्राज्ञैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/instrumental/agentive), बहुवचन

• वरम्: better
• वरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• अग्निप्रवेशनम्: entering fire
• अग्निप्रवेशनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि + प्रवेशन्/प्रवेशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः अग्नौ प्रवेशः/प्रवेशनम् (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः)

• कृपणानाम्: of the miserly/wretched
• कृपणानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृपण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• अनाथानाम्: of the helpless
• अनाथानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• दीनानाम्: of the poor
• दीनानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अपरक्षणात्: than non-protection (neglect)
• अपरक्षणात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ + परक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/ablative), एकवचन; नञ्-समासपूर्वक (negated noun)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Ethic of radical śaraṇāgata-rakṣaṇa: choosing death over failure to protect aligns the devotee with Bhairava’s uncompromising dharma and earns Śiva’s grace.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: protective

FAQs

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

It teaches that true dharma—aligned with Shiva as Pati (the supreme Lord)—is expressed as compassionate protection of beings; neglecting the helpless is portrayed as a graver fault than facing death, because it hardens the soul in pasha (bondage) through cruelty and indifference.

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

Linga worship is not only ritual; it is the worship of Shiva’s living presence through dharmic conduct. Serving and protecting the distressed is a Saguna expression of devotion—seeing Shiva in all beings and acting as His instrument of grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a vow of compassion, and pair it with tangible seva—food, shelter, protection, or advocacy for the vulnerable—offering the merit mentally at the Shiva Linga.