Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

स्वकर्मनिरतो नित्यं सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः । प्राप्यते विपुलस्स्वर्गो देवानामपि वल्लभः

Transliteration

svakarmanirato nityaṃ satyavādī jitendriyaḥ | prāpyate vipulassvargo devānāmapi vallabhaḥ

Translation

Ang laging masigasig sa sariling wastong tungkulin, nagsasalita ng katotohanan, at nagwawagi sa mga pandama, ay makakamit ang malawak na langit—minamahal maging ng mga diyos.

Word by Word

• स्वकर्मनिरतः: devoted to one’s own duties
• स्वकर्मनिरतः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व + कर्म + निरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (स्वकर्मणि निरतः)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), क्रियाविशेषण (Adverb)

• सत्यवादी: truth-speaking
• सत्यवादी: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य + वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः (सत्यं वदतीति)

• जितेन्द्रियः: one who has conquered the senses
• जितेन्द्रियः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—बहुव्रीहिः (यस्य इन्द्रियाणि जितानि सः)

• प्राप्यते: is attained
• प्राप्यते: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive/कर्मणि)

• विपुलः: vast
• विपुलः: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्वर्गः: heaven
• स्वर्गः: कर्म (Karma/Object; passive subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• देवानाम्: of the gods
• देवानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Particle), समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थ (also/even)

• वल्लभः: beloved (one)
• वल्लभः: विशेष्य/सम्बन्ध (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वल्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching in Umāsaṃhitā context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

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

It teaches that dharmic living—steadfastness in one’s svadharma, truthfulness, and mastery of the senses—purifies the pashu (bound soul) and yields exalted merit, symbolized here as a “vast heaven,” preparing the mind for higher Shaiva realization.

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely external; it is supported by inner discipline. Truth (satya), self-restraint (jitendriya), and faithful performance of duty make the devotee fit to approach Saguna Shiva with purity, so worship becomes transformative rather than ritual-only.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint) alongside satya, supported by daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Shaiva conduct such as maintaining purity and regular worship.