Shloka 3
कालयुक्तधर्मविवेकः
Discerning Dharma in Accord with Time
केन शीलेन वृत्तेन कर्मणा कीदृशेन वा । समाचारैर्गुणै: कैर्वा स्वर्ग यान्तीह मानवा:
kena śīlena vṛttena karmaṇā kīdṛśena vā | samācārair guṇaiḥ kair vā svargaṃ yāntīha mānavāḥ, prabho ||
“പ്രഭോ! ഏതു ശീല-സ്വഭാവത്താൽ, ഏതു വൃത്ത-ആചാരത്താൽ, എങ്ങനെയുള്ള കർമ്മത്താൽ, കൂടാതെ ഏതു സദാചാരങ്ങളും ഗുണങ്ങളും കൊണ്ടാണ് മനുഷ്യർ ഈ ലോകത്തിൽ സ്വർഗ്ഗപ്രാപ്തി നേടുന്നത്?”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up a dharmic inquiry: heavenly attainment is linked to a composite of inner character (śīla), outward conduct (vṛtta), intentional deeds (karma), and cultivated virtues and observances (guṇa, samācāra). It implies that destiny is shaped not by a single act but by an integrated ethical life.
Śrī Maheśvara addresses the Lord with a formal question, asking for the criteria—qualities and behaviors—by which humans attain svarga. This functions as the opening of an instruction or discourse on righteous living and its results.