Shloka 59

Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ

Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit

Devanagari script

तपश्चर्या च दानं च कर्तव्यमुभयं सदा । प्रतिश्रयं प्रदातव्यं स्ववर्णगुणशोभितम्

Transliteration

tapaścaryā ca dānaṃ ca kartavyamubhayaṃ sadā | pratiśrayaṃ pradātavyaṃ svavarṇaguṇaśobhitam

Translation

One should always practice both austerity (tapas) and charitable giving (dāna). One should also offer shelter and hospitality, adorned with virtues appropriate to one’s own station and qualities.

Word by Word

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन (Singular)

• चर्या: practice / observance
• चर्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चर्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय (conjunction)

• दानम्: gift / charity
• दानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय (conjunction)

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत् (gerundive/कर्तव्य), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); विधेय (predicate)

• उभयम्: both (together)
• उभयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nominative/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); here as subject-complement = 'both'

• सदा: always
• सदा: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• प्रतिश्रयम्: shelter / lodging
• प्रतिश्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्रदातव्यम्: should be given
• प्रदातव्यम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + दा (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत् (gerundive/कर्तव्य), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); passive obligation

• स्ववर्णगुणशोभितम्: adorned with one’s own varṇa and qualities
• स्ववर्णगुणशोभितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व + वर्ण + गुण + शोभित (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of 'pratiśrayam'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Positions tapas and dāna as complementary purifiers: tapas attenuates mala/vasanā; dāna loosens possessiveness—both aiding readiness for Śiva’s grace.

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches a balanced Shaiva dharma: inner purification through tapas and outward compassion through dāna and hospitality—supports that steady virtue prepares the soul (paśu) for Shiva’s grace (pati-anugraha).

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

Linga-worship is not only ritual; it is supported by right conduct. Charity and offering refuge are expressions of devotion to Saguna Shiva, serving beings as Shiva’s presence and thus making worship fruitful.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to pair Shiva-vrata or japa (e.g., Panchakshara) with dāna and atithi-sevā (hospitality), especially on Shiva observances like Mahashivratri.