Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

अर्द्धं शकानां शिरसो मुंडं कृत्वा व्यसर्जयत् । यवनानां शिरस्सर्वं कांबोजानां तथैव च

Transliteration

arddhaṃ śakānāṃ śiraso muṃḍaṃ kṛtvā vyasarjayat | yavanānāṃ śirassarvaṃ kāṃbojānāṃ tathaiva ca

Translation

Having shaved half of the Śakas’ heads, he dismissed them; and likewise he shaved completely the heads of the Yavanas, and also of the Kāmbojas.

Word by Word

• अर्द्धम्: half
• अर्द्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्द्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd case), एकवचन

• शकानाम्: of the Śakas
• शकानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th case), बहुवचन

• शिरसः: of the head
• शिरसः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th case), एकवचन

• मुण्डम्: shaven/bald (as a shaven piece)
• मुण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• कृत्वा: having made/done
• कृत्वा: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having done)

• व्यसर्जयत्: he cast off/let go/discarded
• व्यसर्जयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सृज् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: वि-; causative sense possible in context

• यवनानाम्: of the Yavanas
• यवनानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• सर्वम्: entire/all
• सर्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; विशेषण

• कांबोजानाम्: of the Kāmbojas
• कांबोजानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कांबोज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन

• तथा: thus/so
• तथा: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle of emphasis)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse reflects dharmic governance: outward discipline (a visible mark like shaving) is used to restrain disorder and restore social balance, while the deeper Shaiva view reminds that true purification is inner—loosening pāśa (bondage) through right conduct and devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

Though not directly about Liṅga-ritual, it supports the Saguna Shiva Purana theme that divine order operates through worldly instruments—kings and punishments—so that society can sustain dharma, within which Liṅga-worship, mantra, and vrata can be practiced steadily.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

No explicit rite is prescribed in this verse; the practical takeaway is self-discipline (niyama) and repentance (prāyaścitta). In a Shaiva frame, one may pair this with pañcākṣarī-japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and Tripuṇḍra/bhasma as inner and outer reminders of restraint and purification.