Shloka 31

द्विजेश्वरावतारः

The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara

Devanagari script

धर्मः कुलोचितो नष्टो मन्दभाग्यस्य दुर्मतेः । नूनं मे सम्पदो राज्यमायुष्यं क्षयमेष्यति

Transliteration

dharmaḥ kulocito naṣṭo mandabhāgyasya durmateḥ | nūnaṃ me sampado rājyamāyuṣyaṃ kṣayameṣyati

Translation

The righteous conduct befitting my lineage has been ruined by my own wicked mind and ill fortune. Surely now my prosperity, my kingdom, and even my lifespan will decline.

Word by Word

• dharmaḥ: dharma, righteousness
• dharmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• kula-ucitaḥ: befitting the family
• kula-ucitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक) + ucita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (kulasya ucitaḥ); विशेषणम् (dharmaḥ)

• naṣṭaḥ: destroyed, lost
• naṣṭaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naś (धातु) → naṣṭa (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past Passive Participle (क्त/ktá); Masculine Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicate adjective of dharmaḥ

• manda-bhāgyasya: of the ill-fated
• manda-bhāgyasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manda (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāgya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—कर्मधारयः (mandaṃ bhāgyaṃ yasya); qualifies durmateḥ

• dur-mateḥ: of the evil-minded (person)
• dur-mateḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dur (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + mati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (duṣṭā matiḥ)

• nūnam: surely
• nūnam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nūnam (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/adverb (निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय)

• me: my/of me
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• sampadaḥ: prosperities, fortunes
• sampadaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sampad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• rājyam: kingdom, sovereignty
• rājyam: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• āyuṣyam: lifespan, longevity
• āyuṣyam: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āyuṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• kṣayam: to destruction, to decline
• kṣayam: Karma/Gati (कर्म/गति-लक्ष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); goal/state with verb of motion

• eṣyati: will go/come, will reach
• eṣyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: i (धातु) + eṣya (भविष्यत्-आदेश)
• Form: Future (लृट्/lṛṭ), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); परस्मैपद

Speaker

A remorseful king/prince (narrative voice within Śatarudrasaṃhitā, as relayed by Sūta to the sages)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva ethical principle that when one abandons dharma, the fruits of karma manifest as inner decline and outer loss—prompting repentance and a return to right conduct, which in Shaiva Siddhanta is supported by surrender to Pati (Shiva).

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

The verse sets the ground for seeking refuge in Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga as Shiva’s compassionate, accessible form—so that a fallen person may purify conduct, restrain the mind, and realign life with dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is prāyaścitta through Shiva-centered discipline: daily japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), simple Linga-pūjā with water and bilva, and adopting sattvic vows to rebuild dharma.