Shloka 13

Pitṛbhakti and Śrāddha: The Classification of Pitṛs and the Superiority of Pitṛ-kārya

Devanagari script

विनियोगाद्गुरोस्तस्य गां दोग्ध्रीं समकालयन् । समानवत्सां कपिलां सर्वेऽन्यायागतास्तदा

Transliteration

viniyogādgurostasya gāṃ dogdhrīṃ samakālayan | samānavatsāṃ kapilāṃ sarve'nyāyāgatāstadā

Translation

By the command and appointment of their guru, they arranged for the cow to be milked. Then all of them—having come there improperly and without rightful claim—gathered around that tawny kapilā cow, with her calf beside her.

Word by Word

• विनियोगात्: by/through the instruction (assignment)
• विनियोगात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viniyoga (विनियोग-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (ablative), एकवचन

• गुरोः: of the teacher
• गुरोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (गुरु-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (genitive), एकवचन

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• गाम्: the cow
• गाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (गो-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दोग्ध्रीम्: milking (cow)
• दोग्ध्रीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dogdhrī (दोग्ध्री-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (milch-cow)

• समकालयन्: they arranged/appointed
• समकालयन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+कल् (कल्-धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: सम्-; अर्थ: 'they arranged/appointed'

• समानवत्साम्: having a similar calf
• समानवत्साम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samāna+vatsa (समान-प्रातिपदिक + वत्स-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: समानः वत्सः यस्याः सा; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (to कपिलाम्/गाम्)

• कपिलाम्: tawny (cow)
• कपिलाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kapilā (कपिला-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (brown/tawny)

• सर्वे: all (of them)
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (सर्व-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• अन्यायागताः: having come unjustly / acting unjustly
• अन्यायागताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: an-yāya+āgata (अन्याय-प्रातिपदिक + आगत-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: अन्यायेन आगताः (come by injustice); कृदन्त: क्त (आगत), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (to सर्वे)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kala-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (तदा-अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Cow (Kapila)

FAQs

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

The verse contrasts rightful, guru-guided action with “anyāya” (improper conduct), implying that spiritual progress in Shaiva dharma depends on purity of means, obedience to the guru, and ethical restraint—not merely the outer act.

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

In Linga-worship, offerings gain sanctity through dharmic eligibility and correct procedure (vidhi). This verse highlights that when actions are done without rightful authority, the spiritual fruit is obstructed—whereas guru-directed, disciplined conduct supports Saguna Shiva worship and inner purification.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests following guru-prescribed vidhi and maintaining śauca (purity) and dharma before any offering—paired with steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to keep intention and conduct aligned.