Shloka 26

उपमन्यूपदेशः

Upamanyu’s Instruction

Devanagari script

तत्प्रभावाद्व्रते तस्मिन्नेको द्विजसुतः पुरा । कश्चित्स्त्रीत्वं गतो लोभात्कृतदाराकृतिश्छलात्

Transliteration

tatprabhāvādvrate tasminneko dvijasutaḥ purā | kaścitstrītvaṃ gato lobhātkṛtadārākṛtiśchalāt

Translation

Pelo poder dessa observância (vrata), outrora certo filho de um brāhmana — por cobiça — veio a assumir o estado de mulher, por engano ao tomar a aparência de esposa.

Word by Word

तत्-प्रभावात्due to its power

व्रतेin the vow/observance

तस्मिन्in that

एकःone

द्विजसुतःa brahmin’s son

पुराformerly/once

कश्चित्someone

स्त्रीत्वम्womanhood/femaleness

गतःhaving gone/attained

लोभात्from greed/out of greed

कृत-दार-आकृतिः(one) with an assumed wife-like form

छलात्through deceit/from trickery

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

FAQs

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

It highlights that a vrata has real potency, but when driven by lobha (greed) and chala (deceit), its fruits can manifest as binding, identity-altering karmic consequences rather than liberating merit—underscoring Shaiva ethics of purity of intention.

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

Vratas in the Shiva Purana are typically performed as offerings to Saguna Shiva (often through Linga-worship). The verse warns that external observance without truthful dharma and right bhāva can still produce powerful results, yet not necessarily spiritual upliftment.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied takeaway is to perform Shiva-vratas with sattvic intent—supporting them with honest conduct, mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and disciplined self-restraint, avoiding greed-driven motivations.