Shloka 16

वैभ्राजवन-प्रसङ्गः / The Episode of Vaibhrāja and the Yogic Forest

Vibhrāja-vana

Devanagari script

धृतिमान्सुमहात्मा च तत्त्वदर्शीं निरुत्सुकः । वेदाध्ययन सम्पन्नाश्चत्वारश्छिद्रदर्शिनः

Transliteration

dhṛtimānsumahātmā ca tattvadarśīṃ nirutsukaḥ | vedādhyayana sampannāścatvāraśchidradarśinaḥ

Translation

Steadfast and truly great-souled, seers of Reality and free from restless craving—there were four, accomplished in Vedic study and skilled at discerning flaws in conduct and doctrine.

Word by Word

• धृतिमान्: steadfast, possessing fortitude
• धृतिमान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृति + मत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

• सुमहात्मा: very great-souled
• सुमहात्मा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (सु-महात्मा = अत्यन्तं महात्मा)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तत्त्वदर्शी: seer of truth
• तत्त्वदर्शी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत्त्व + दर्शिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपपद-समास (तत्त्वं पश्यति)

• निरुत्सुकः: unconcerned, without eagerness
• निरुत्सुकः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + उत्सुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्/उपसर्गयुक्त विशेषण

• वेदाध्ययन: study of the Veda
• वेदाध्ययन: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद + अध्ययन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वेदस्य अध्ययनम्)

• सम्पन्नाः: accomplished, endowed
• सम्पन्नाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + √पद् (पद्) (धातु) → सम्पन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त)

• चत्वारः: four
• चत्वारः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक

• छिद्रदर्शिनः: fault-finders; those who see flaws
• छिद्रदर्शिनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छिद्र + दर्शिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (छिद्रं पश्यन्ति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Portrays the ideal śāstra-yukta seeker: dhṛti (steadfastness), vairāgya (nirutsukatā), tattva-darśana, and śāstra-adhyayana—qualities that prepare the paśu for Śiva’s liberating grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It praises the Shaiva ideal of inner steadiness (dhṛti), truth-vision (tattvadarśana), and dispassion (nirutsukatā), supported by disciplined learning—qualities that mature the soul (paśu) toward liberation under the grace of Pati (Shiva).

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

Right worship of Saguna Shiva (such as Linga-pūjā) is strengthened by purity, discernment, and dispassion; the verse highlights the qualified mindset that avoids defective views and performs devotion with clarity rather than mere excitement or pride in learning.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is steady daily discipline: Vedic or mantra recitation (including Panchākṣarī—Om Namaḥ Śivāya), combined with self-examination to detect inner ‘flaws’ (chidra) like craving and agitation, cultivating calm devotion to Shiva.