Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

वैशम्पायन उवाच । बाहोर्व्यसनिनस्तात हृतं राज्यमभूत्किल । हैहयैस्तालजंघैश्च शकैस्सार्द्धं विशांपते

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca | bāhorvyasaninastāta hṛtaṃ rājyamabhūtkila | haihayaistālajaṃghaiśca śakaissārddhaṃ viśāṃpate

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “O dear one, it is indeed told that the kingdom of Bāhu—fallen into misfortune and weakness—was seized by the Haihayas and the Tālajaṅghas, together with the Śakas, O lord of men.”

Word by Word

वैशम्पायनःVaishampayana

उवाचsaid

बाहोःof Bāhu

व्यसनिनःafflicted, in distress

तातO dear one

हृतम्was taken away

राज्यम्kingdom

अभूत्became/was

किलindeed, it is said

हैहयैःby the Haihayas

तालजंघैःby the Tālajaṅghas

चand

शकैःby the Śakas

सार्धम्together with

विशाम्-पतेO lord of the people

Speaker

Vaiśampāyana

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Bāhu

Haihayas

Tālajaṅghas

Śakas

FAQs

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

It frames worldly sovereignty as unstable when a ruler falls into vyasana (calamity, weakness, or moral decline). In Shaiva understanding, such reversals prompt vairāgya (detachment) and a return to dharma and refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva), the true Lord beyond changing fortunes.

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

Though the verse is historical, its thrust supports the Shiva Purana’s theme that external power is impermanent; stability comes through devotion to Saguna Shiva (as the protective Lord) and inner alignment with dharma—often expressed through Linga-worship as a daily anchor amid political upheaval.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

In times of loss or संकट, the practical Shaiva takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Linga-pūjā with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa remembrance, cultivating humility and inner steadiness.