Shloka 58

दुर्वाससः तपः-प्रभावः तथा देवाः ब्रह्म-विष्ण्वोः शरणागमनम् | Durvāsā’s Tapas and the Devas’ Appeal to Brahmā and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

हत्वा दुष्टान्महापापान् ब्रह्मद्रोहकरान्मलान् । ररक्ष निखिलान्साधून्ब्राह्मणान्कृष्णनामभाक्

Transliteration

hatvā duṣṭānmahāpāpān brahmadrohakarānmalān | rarakṣa nikhilānsādhūnbrāhmaṇānkṛṣṇanāmabhāk

Translation

మహాపాపులు, బ్రాహ్మణద్రోహులు, ఆచారంలో మలినులైన దుష్టులను సంహరించి, ‘కృష్ణ’ నామధారి ఆయన సమస్త సాధువులను కాపాడి బ్రాహ్మణులను రక్షించాడు।

Word by Word

• हत्वा: having slain
• हत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable participial), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having done)

• दुष्टान्: the wicked (ones)
• दुष्टान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन (pl.)

• महापापान्: great sinners
• महापापान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन (pl.); समासः—कर्मधारयः (महान्ति पापानि येषां/महापापाः)

• ब्रह्मद्रोहकरान्: those who commit treachery against Brahmins/Brahmā
• ब्रह्मद्रोहकरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म-द्रोह-कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन (pl.); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मणि द्रोहः; तं करोति)

• मलान्: impure ones / defilers
• मलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन (pl.)

• ररक्ष: protected
• ररक्ष: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (sg.), परस्मैपद

• निखिलान्: all
• निखिलान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन (pl.); विशेषणम्

• साधून्: the righteous
• साधून्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन (pl.)

• ब्राह्मणान्: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन (pl.)

• कृष्णनामभाक्: the bearer of the name ‘Kṛṣṇa’
• कृष्णनामभाक्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण-नाम-भाज् (प्रातिपदिक; भज्-धातुजन्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन (sg.); कृदन्तः—क्विप्/भाक् (भज् धातोः ‘भागी/धारक’ अर्थे); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (कृष्णस्य नाम) + भाक् (भागी/धारक)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka

Shakti Dimension

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahmins
• Kṛṣṇa (as a sacred name)

FAQs

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

The verse presents a dharma-centered ideal: adharma is restrained (the wicked are destroyed) and dharma is upheld (saints and Brahmins are protected). In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, this reflects Pati’s grace working through righteous action—removing pāpa and safeguarding the conditions that support sādhana and liberation.

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

Saguna Shiva is praised not only as the object of worship in the Liṅga but also as the protector of dharma in the world. Protecting sādhus and honoring Brahmins aligns with Liṅga-worship’s ethic: reverence, purity, and service (sevā) as outward expressions of devotion to Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is nāma-smaraṇa (remembrance of the divine name) alongside dharmic conduct—supporting the righteous and avoiding brahma-droha (offense toward holy persons). As a Shaiva practice, pair this with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and a vow of ahiṃsā toward the innocent while standing firmly against adharma.