Shloka 30

महापातकवर्णनम् (Mahāpātaka-varṇanam) — “Description of Great Sins and Their Consequences”

Devanagari script

देवद्विजस्वहरणमन्यायेनार्जितं तु यत् । ब्रह्महत्यासमं ज्ञेयं पातकं नात्र संशयः

Transliteration

devadvijasvaharaṇamanyāyenārjitaṃ tu yat | brahmahatyāsamaṃ jñeyaṃ pātakaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ

Translation

Know for certain that taking the property of the gods or of the twice-born (Brahmins) by unrighteous means is a sin equal to brahmahatyā; of this there is no doubt.

Word by Word

• देवद्विजस्वहरणम्: stealing the property of gods and Brahmins
• देवद्विजस्वहरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवद्विजस्वहरण (प्रातिपदिक; देव + द्विज + स्व + हरण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: देवद्विजयोः स्वस्य हरणम् = taking the property of gods and Brahmins)

• अन्यायेन: by injustice / unlawfully
• अन्यायेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case, Instrumental), एकवचन

• अर्जितम्: acquired
• अर्जितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ√र्ज् (धातु) + क्त (अर्जित)
• Form: कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (यत्)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण/विरोधसूचक निपात

• यत्: that which
• यत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक सर्वनाम

• ब्रह्महत्यासमम्: equal to Brahmin-slaying
• ब्रह्महत्यासमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्महत्यासम (प्रातिपदिक; ब्रह्महत्या + सम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपमान: ब्रह्महत्यायाः समम् = equal to brahmahatyā)

• ज्ञेयम्: to be known (as)
• ज्ञेयम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु) + यत् (ज्ञेय)
• Form: कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त (यत्-प्रत्यय, gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (to be known)

• पातकम्: a sin
• पातकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

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

• अत्र: here/in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not site-specific; continues the dharma-catalogue: deva/dravya and dvija-sva are inviolable, and unjust acquisition (anyāya) is framed as mahāpātaka.

Significance: Reinforces that pilgrimage/ritual merit is nullified by adharma in livelihood; restitution and ethical conduct are implied prerequisites for Śiva’s grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It declares that adharma—especially stealing sacred or protected wealth—creates extremely heavy bondage (pāśa) in the soul, comparable to the gravest sins, obstructing purity, devotion, and the path to Shiva’s grace.

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

Linga-worship requires inner and outer śauca (purity). This verse teaches that offerings and devotion lose their sanctifying power when one’s livelihood is rooted in injustice; ethical living is part of approaching Saguna Shiva with sincerity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice repentance and restitution: give rightful charity (dāna) from honest earnings, perform Shiva japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and undertake purificatory worship with bhasma and disciplined conduct.