Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

क्रव्यादैर्दतिभिश्चैव हतस्य गतिरुत्तमा । द्विजगोस्वामिनामर्थे भवेद्विपुलदाक्षया

Transliteration

kravyādairdatibhiścaiva hatasya gatiruttamā | dvijagosvāmināmarthe bhavedvipuladākṣayā

Translation

اگرچہ وہ گوشت خور درندوں یا ہاتھیوں کے ہاتھوں مارا جائے تب بھی اس کی گتی اعلیٰ ہوتی ہے؛ اور برہمنوں اور گؤرکشکوں کے ہِت میں کیا گیا عمل عظیم ثواب اور فراواں داکشِنا کا پھل دیتا ہے۔

Word by Word

क्रव्यादैःby flesh-eaters (carnivores)

दतिभिःby cutters/biters (predators)

चand

एवindeed, just

हतस्यof the slain (person)

गतिःthe destiny, course

उत्तमाexcellent, highest

द्विज-गो-स्वामिनाम्of Brahmins, cows, and masters (owners)

अर्थेfor the sake of, in the cause of

भवेत्would be, should become

विपुल-दाक्षयाby abundant skill/ability

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

Brahmins

Cow-protectors (Gosvamin)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that dharmic intention—acting for the welfare of Brahmins and the protection of cows—purifies even extreme suffering or death, turning it into a cause for an elevated posthumous state and merit aligned with Shaiva dharma.

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

In the Shiva Purana, Saguna Shiva worship is inseparable from dharma: offerings, service, and protection of sacred institutions (Brahmins, cows) are treated as extensions of Shiva-bhakti, producing merit supportive of grace (anugraha) and higher gati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to dāna and dākṣiṇā—supporting Brahmins and cow-protection as a devotional discipline—often performed alongside Shiva-pūjā (e.g., on Mahāśivarātri) to stabilize merit and cultivate sattva for spiritual ascent.