Shloka 8

Varṇa-adhikāra, Karma, and the Protection of One’s Attained Spiritual Status (वर्णाधिकारः कर्म च स्वस्थानरक्षणम्)

Devanagari script

कर्मणा येन मेधावी शूद्रो वैश्यो हि जायते । तत्ते वक्ष्यामि निखिलं येन वर्णोत्तमो भवेत्

Transliteration

karmaṇā yena medhāvī śūdro vaiśyo hi jāyate | tatte vakṣyāmi nikhilaṃ yena varṇottamo bhavet

Translation

ಯಾವ ಕರ್ಮಶಾಸನದಿಂದ ವಿವೇಕಿಯಾದ ಶೂದ್ರನೂ ವೈಶ್ಯಸ್ಥಾನವನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯಬಲ್ಲನೋ, ಅದನ್ನು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ನಿನಗೆ ಹೇಳುವೆನು; ಅದರಿಂದ ವರ್ಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠನಾಗುವನು.

Word by Word

• कर्मणा: by action/deed
• कर्मणा: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया) एकवचन (Sg) — करण/हेतु (instrument/cause)

• येन: by which
• येन: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया) एकवचन (Sg) — सम्बन्धवाचक सर्वनाम

• मेधावी: an intelligent person
• मेधावी: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेधाविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (M), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा) एकवचन (Sg)

• शूद्रः: a Śūdra
• शूद्रः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (M), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा) एकवचन (Sg)

• वैश्यः: a Vaiśya
• वैश्यः: कर्ता-सम्बन्ध (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (M), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा) एकवचन (Sg)

• हि: indeed
• हि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अवधान/हेतुबोधक (emphasis/causal nuance)

• जायते: is born/becomes
• जायते: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/लट्), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (Sg)

• तत्: that
• तत्: कर्म (Karma/कर्मन्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया) एकवचन (Sg) — सर्वनाम

• ते: to you
• ते: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी) एकवचन (Sg) — 'to you' (enclitic form)

• वक्ष्यामि: I will tell
• वक्ष्यामि: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple future/लृट्), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन (Sg)

• निखिलम्: entire/complete
• निखिलम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया) एकवचन (Sg) — विशेषण

• येन: by which
• येन: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया) एकवचन (Sg) — सम्बन्धवाचक सर्वनाम

• वर्ण-उत्तमः: the best varṇa
• वर्ण-उत्तमः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (M), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा) एकवचन (Sg); समासः—तत्पुरुषः: वर्णेषु उत्तमः (best among the varṇas)

• भवेत्: may become
• भवेत्: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (Sg)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes that spiritual and social excellence is linked to karma (right conduct and disciplined action), not merely birth—pointing to inner refinement and eligibility for higher dharma through self-purification under Shiva’s guidance.

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

In the Uma-saṃhitā’s devotional-philosophical frame, upliftment through karma is typically fulfilled through Shiva-oriented dharma—service, purity, vows, and worship—where Saguna Shiva (as the worshipful Lord) grants inner maturity that makes one fit for higher practices.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse introduces a forthcoming teaching on transformative conduct; in Shaiva practice this commonly culminates in Shiva-dharma observances such as mantra-japa (especially Panchakshara), purity disciplines, and regulated worship that purifies karma and elevates one’s spiritual standing.