Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 27

द्विजेश्वरावतारः

The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara

Devanagari script

आर्तत्राणविहीनानां जीवितान्मरणं वरम् । धनिनान्पानहीनानां गार्हस्थ्याद्भिक्षुता वरम्

Transliteration

ārtatrāṇavihīnānāṃ jīvitānmaraṇaṃ varam | dhaninānpānahīnānāṃ gārhasthyādbhikṣutā varam

Translation

Para aquellos que carecen de refugio o rescate en tiempos de angustia, la muerte es preferible a la vida. Y para los hombres ricos que carecen incluso de los medios de sustento adecuados, la vida de un mendigo es preferible a la vida de hogar.

Word by Word

• आर्तत्राणविहीनानाम्: of those devoid of protecting the afflicted
• आर्तत्राणविहीनानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्त + त्राण + विहीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः आर्तानां त्राणेन विहीनाः (बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः)

• जीवितात्: than life, from living
• जीवितात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/ablative), एकवचन

• मरणम्: death
• मरणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/subject), एकवचन

• वरम्: better
• वरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative adjective)

• धनिनाम्: of the wealthy
• धनिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• पानहीनानाम्: of those lacking drink (water)
• पानहीनानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पान + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः पानेन हीनाः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः)

• गार्हस्थ्यात्: than householder life
• गार्हस्थ्यात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गार्हस्थ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/ablative), एकवचन

• भिक्षुता: mendicancy
• भिक्षुता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षुता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/subject), एकवचन

• वरम्: better
• वरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Highlights the existential bleakness of life under pāśa (bondage) when dharmic protection collapses; motivates turning toward Śiva as the ultimate refuge.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse underscores Shaiva vairāgya: without true refuge (ultimately Shiva as Pati), worldly life becomes bondage and anguish; turning inward toward liberation is portrayed as superior to clinging to a painful existence.

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

It points to seeking real ‘trāṇa’ (protection) in Shiva, often approached through Saguna worship such as Linga-upāsanā; devotion reorients life from fragile social status to the stable refuge of the Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a renunciant mindset through daily Shiva-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and simple disciplines like bhasma/tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa as reminders of detachment and Shiva-refuge.