Shloka 72

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

आत्मवित्तं त्रिधा कुर्याद्धर्मवृद्ध्यात्मभोगतः । नित्यं नैमित्तकं काम्यं कर्म कुर्यात्तु धर्मतः

Transliteration

ātmavittaṃ tridhā kuryāddharmavṛddhyātmabhogataḥ | nityaṃ naimittakaṃ kāmyaṃ karma kuryāttu dharmataḥ

Translation

One should divide one’s own wealth into three parts: for the increase of dharma, for livelihood and rightful enjoyment, and for personal needs. In accordance with dharma, one should perform the obligatory daily rites, the occasional rites, and also rites undertaken for a desired aim.

Word by Word

• ātma-vittam: one's wealth
• ātma-vittam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + vitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tridhā: into three parts
• tridhā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tridhā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), 'in three parts/threefold'

• kuryāt: should divide/do
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• dharma-vṛddhi-ātma-bhogataḥ: as (for) dharma, growth, and personal enjoyment
• dharma-vṛddhi-ātma-bhogataḥ: Hetu/Adhikaraṇa (हेतु/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛddhi (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + bhoga (प्रातिपदिक) + -tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: समासान्त तसिल् (ablatival adverb) 'in terms of/with respect to'; (धर्म-वृद्धि) + (आत्म-भोग) इति तत्पुरुष-समाससमूह; अव्ययप्रयोगः

• nityam: daily/regular
• nityam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मविशेषण (as adjective to karma)

• naimittakam: occasional (ritual)
• naimittakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naimittaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मविशेषण

• kāmyam: desire-motivated (optional)
• kāmyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मविशेषण

• karma: action/rite
• karma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• kuryāt: should perform
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात, विशेषार्थक

• dharmataḥ: according to dharma
• dharmataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + -tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिलन्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): 'according to dharma/from righteousness'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches disciplined stewardship of wealth and a dharma-centered life: resources and actions should be ordered so that merit (dharma) grows, life is sustained rightly, and duties are fulfilled—creating purity that supports Shiva-bhakti and liberation.

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is sustained by dharmic conduct and properly performed rites; this verse frames ritual life (daily and occasional observances) as dharma-based action that becomes an offering to Saguna Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies regular performance of nitya and naimittika worship—such as daily Shiva-puja with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara) and observances on sacred occasions—while keeping kāmya rites subordinate to dharma.