Shloka 5

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

पृथिवीपालको राजा इतरेक्षत्रिया मताः । धान्यादिक्रयवान्वैश्य इतरो वणिगुच्यते

Transliteration

pṛthivīpālako rājā itarekṣatriyā matāḥ | dhānyādikrayavānvaiśya itaro vaṇigucyate

Translation

The king is the protector of the earth; the others are regarded as kṣatriyas. The one who trades in grains and the like is called a vaiśya; the other is termed a merchant (vaṇik).

Word by Word

• pṛthivīpālakaḥ: protector of the earth
• pṛthivīpālakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pṛthivī (प्रातिपदिक) + pālaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa ‘protector of the earth’

• rājā: king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana (irregular stem rājan)

• itare: other
• itare: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: itara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; adjective ‘other’ qualifying kṣatriyāḥ

• kṣatriyāḥ: Kṣatriyas
• kṣatriyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣatriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• matāḥ: are considered
• matāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: man (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kṛdanta; past passive participle (क्त), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘are considered’

• dhānyādi-krayavān: one engaged in trade of grain etc.
• dhānyādi-krayavān: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhānya (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + kraya (प्रातिपदिक) + -vat (तद्धित)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa with taddhita -vat: ‘possessing purchase/sale of grains etc.’

• vaiśyaḥ: a Vaiśya
• vaiśyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaiśya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• itaraḥ: the other
• itaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: itara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; adjective used substantively ‘the other (one)’

• vaṇik: merchant
• vaṇik: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaṇij (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; form appears as vaṇig due to sandhi before vowel

• ucyate: is called
• ucyate: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ, Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; passive usage ‘is called’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It frames worldly roles as dharmic responsibilities: protecting society and sustaining it through honest trade. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, such right action purifies the pashu (bound soul) and supports steady devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

It implies that Linga worship is not opposed to worldly life: a king protects and a trader deals ethically, then offers the fruits of action to Saguna Shiva through puja, cultivating inner purity that leads toward Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice offering-based devotion alongside one’s duty: daily Linga worship with Tripundra (bhasma), japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and dedicating one’s work as naivedya of intention to Shiva.