Shloka 21

Munipraśna-varṇana

Description of the Sages’ Inquiry

Devanagari script

प्रजापालनसद्धर्मविहीना भोगतत्पराः । प्रजासंहारका दुष्टा जीवहिंसाकरा मुदा

Transliteration

prajāpālanasaddharmavihīnā bhogatatparāḥ | prajāsaṃhārakā duṣṭā jīvahiṃsākarā mudā

Translation

Devoid of the true dharma of protecting their subjects, they became intent only on enjoyment. Wicked in nature, they brought ruin upon the people and, delighting in it, committed violence against living beings.

Word by Word

• प्रजा-पालन-सत्-धर्म-विहीनाः: devoid of the righteous duty of protecting subjects
• प्रजा-पालन-सत्-धर्म-विहीनाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक) + पालन (प्रातिपदिक) + सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + विहीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘प्रजापालनस्य सद्धर्मः’ (good duty of protecting subjects) तस्मात् विहीनाः

• भोग-तत्पराः: devoted to enjoyment
• भोग-तत्पराः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भोग (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; ‘भोगे तत्पर’ (intent on enjoyment)

• प्रजा-संहारकाः: destroyers of the people
• प्रजा-संहारकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक) + संहारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; ‘प्रजानां संहारक’ (destroyers of subjects)

• दुष्टाः: wicked
• दुष्टाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• जीव-हिंसा-कराः: perpetrators of harm to living beings
• जीव-हिंसा-कराः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जीव (प्रातिपदिक) + हिंसा (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; ‘जीवानां हिंसां करोति’ (doers of violence to living beings)

• मुदा: gladly
• मुदा: Bhava (भाव/रीति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुद्/मुदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययप्रयोगः (instrumental used adverbially): ‘with joy/gladly’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: No direct Jyotirliṅga reference; the verse describes rulers who invert rājadhrama, becoming agents of ruin (saṃhāra) at the social level—an adharma motif that in Purāṇic arcs invites Śiva’s corrective intervention.

Significance: General: motivates seeking dharmic governance and ahiṃsā through Śiva-bhakti; frames Rudra as the moral governor who dissolves adharma.

FAQs

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

It condemns adharma rooted in selfish enjoyment and harm to beings, implying that such conduct binds the soul (paśu) more tightly in pāśa (bondage) through karma; sat-dharma and compassion are prerequisites for turning toward Shiva (Pati) and liberation.

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

Linga-worship is not merely ritual; it must be supported by sat-dharma. Devotion to Saguna Shiva is purified by protecting life, curbing bhoga-driven impulses, and honoring Shiva as the inner witness of all jīvas.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice ahimsa as a vrata, restrain indulgence, and pair daily Shiva-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with offerings made in a spirit of protection and compassion toward all beings.