Shloka 22

Satyavrata, Vasiṣṭha, and the Crisis of Dharma: Protection, Anger, and Vow-Discipline

Devanagari script

हैहयास्तालजंघाश्च निरस्यंति स्म तं नृपम् । नात्मार्थे धार्मिको विप्रः स हि धर्मपरोऽभवत

Transliteration

haihayāstālajaṃghāśca nirasyaṃti sma taṃ nṛpam | nātmārthe dhārmiko vipraḥ sa hi dharmaparo'bhavata

Translation

The Haihayas and the Tālajaṅghas drove that king away. Yet the righteous brāhmaṇa did not act for his own gain, for he was wholly devoted to Dharma.

Word by Word

• हैहयाः: the Haihayas
• हैहयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हैहय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन; जाति/वंश-नाम

• तालजंघाः: the Tālajaṅghas
• तालजंघाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तालजंघा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; जाति/समूह-नाम

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (conjunction “and”)

• निरस्यन्ति: drive out / expel
• निरस्यन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निर्-अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• स्म: indeed/then (past narrative marker)
• स्म: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्म (अव्यय)
• Form: स्म-निपात (particle indicating past narration/continuity)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• नृपम्: the king
• नृपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; तम् इत्यस्य विशेष्य (apposition)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• आत्मार्थे: for his own sake
• आत्मार्थे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ātman-aṛthe = for one’s own purpose); पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; अर्थे इति पदे

• धार्मिकः: righteous
• धार्मिकः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धार्मिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies विप्रः)

• विप्रः: the brāhmaṇa
• विप्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); बल/कारण (indeed/for)

• धर्मपरः: devoted to dharma
• धर्मपरः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (dharma-para = devoted to dharma); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies सः/विप्रः)

• अभवत्: became / was
• अभवत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Haihayas
• Tālajaṅghas
• King (nṛpa)
• Brāhmaṇa (vipra)

FAQs

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

It praises selfless dharma: even amid political upheaval, the truly righteous person does not act for personal benefit, which aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on purifying bondage (pāśa) through dharmic living and surrender to the Divine.

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

Linga-worship is not merely ritual; it is supported by inner discipline. This verse highlights the inner mark of devotion—acting without selfish motive—by which Saguna Shiva’s grace becomes accessible and the devotee’s conduct becomes an offering.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a vrata-like mindset: chant “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with the intention of serving dharma rather than gaining favors, and let daily actions become niṣkāma-sevā (selfless service) as a practical form of worship.