Shloka 4

Adhyaya 35 — दधीचि-क्षुप-युद्धम्, भार्गवोपदेशः, मृतसंजीवनी (त्र्यम्बक) मन्त्रः

Devanagari script

चिरात्तयोः प्रसंगाद्वै वादः क्षुपदधीचयोः अभवत् क्षत्रियश्रेष्ठो विप्र एवेति विश्रुतः

Transliteration

cirāttayoḥ prasaṃgādvai vādaḥ kṣupadadhīcayoḥ abhavat kṣatriyaśreṣṭho vipra eveti viśrutaḥ

Translation

दीर्घकाळच्या सहवासामुळे क्षुप व दधीची यांच्यात वाद झाला—“हा क्षत्रियश्रेष्ठ आहे” की “हा खरोखर विप्र (ब्राह्मण) आहे”; असा तो वाद प्रसिद्ध झाला।

Word by Word

• चिरात्: after a long time/over time

• तयोः: of the two

• प्रसंगात्: due to association/occasion/contact

• वै: indeed

• वादः: dispute/argument

• क्षुपदधीचयोः: between Kṣupada and Dadhīci

• अभवत्: arose/became

• क्षत्रिय-श्रेष्ठः: best among kṣatriyas

• विप्रः: brāhmaṇa/sage

• एव: indeed/only

• इति: thus

• विश्रुतः: famed/widely known

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Kṣupada
• Dadhīci

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It introduces a dharmic conflict rooted in identity and status—an example of pasha (bondage) that must be transcended through Shiva-oriented discernment and purification before one becomes fit for steadfast Linga-puja.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly: by showing how worldly labels (kṣatriya/brāhmaṇa) become causes of contention, it points to Shiva-tattva as the higher Pati beyond social designations, the refuge where the pashu’s true worth is measured by inner purity and knowledge.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is stated in this verse; the implied practice is viveka (discernment) and ego-restraint—foundational disciplines that support Pashupata-oriented sadhana and stable devotion in Shiva-puja.