Shloka 28

यममार्गे सुखदायकधर्माः

Dharmas that Grant Ease on the Path to Yama

Devanagari script

धर्म्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां देहः परमसाधनम् । तस्मादन्नेन पानेन पालयेद्देहमात्मनः

Transliteration

dharmmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ dehaḥ paramasādhanam | tasmādannena pānena pālayeddehamātmanaḥ

Translation

For attaining dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa, the human body is the supreme instrument. Therefore, by proper food and drink, one should sustain and protect one’s own body.

Word by Word

• धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणाम्: of dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa
• धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + अर्थ + काम + मोक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व, समाससमूहस्य षष्ठी (genitive plural)

• देहः: the body
• देहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• परम: supreme
• परम: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying 'साधनम्')

• साधनम्: means/instrument
• साधनम्: Pradhana-kartṛ/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विधेय (predicate nominative)

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तस्मात् इति हेत्वर्थक निपात (ablatival adverb: therefore/from that)

• अन्नेन: with food
• अन्नेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण (instrumental)

• पानेन: with drink
• पानेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण (instrumental)

• पालयेत्: should protect/maintain
• पालयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पाल् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person/प्रथम), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देहम्: the body
• देहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• आत्मनः: of oneself
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; स्वत्व/सम्बन्ध (possessive genitive)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Connects bodily maintenance to the pursuit of puruṣārthas including mokṣa; supports the Śaiva Siddhānta view that embodied discipline (ācāra, kriyā) is a necessary basis for higher realization and grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that embodiment is a precious, divinely granted means for fulfilling the four aims of life, culminating in moksha; therefore, caring for the body supports Shaiva sādhanā and the pursuit of liberation.

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

Linga worship and Saguna Shiva devotion are performed through bodily acts—pujā, abhiṣeka, japa, and vrata—so maintaining the body becomes part of preserving one’s capacity to serve Shiva and progress toward grace and release.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies disciplined, sāttvika regulation of diet and conduct to keep the body fit for japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), dhyāna, and vrata observances (including Mahāśivarātri), avoiding neglect that hinders practice.