Shloka 75

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

अथवा पापबुद्धिः स्यात्क्षयं वा सत्यमेष्यति । वृद्धिवाणिज्यके देयष्षडंशो हि विचक्षणैः

Transliteration

athavā pāpabuddhiḥ syātkṣayaṃ vā satyameṣyati | vṛddhivāṇijyake deyaṣṣaḍaṃśo hi vicakṣaṇaiḥ

Translation

ورنہ گناہ کی نیت پیدا ہو سکتی ہے، یا واقعی تباہی آ سکتی ہے۔ اس لیے نفع بخش تجارت اور لین دین میں داناؤں کو چھٹا حصہ دینا چاہیے، تاکہ مال دولت دھرم کے مطابق رہے اور زوال کا سبب نہ بنے۔

Word by Word

• अथवा: or else
• अथवा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/विकल्पार्थ अव्यय (or/alternatively)

• पाप-बुद्धिः: sinful intent
• पाप-बुद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक) + बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘sinful intention’

• स्यात्: may be / would be
• स्यात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/सम्भावना), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• क्षयम्: loss/decline
• क्षयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थ निपात (or)

• सत्यम्: truly
• सत्यम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; here adverbial-accusative sense ‘truly’

• एष्यति: will come/ensue
• एष्यति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इ (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Future), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• वृद्धि-वाणिज्यके: in usury/interest trade
• वृद्धि-वाणिज्यके: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + वाणिज्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; ‘in interest-trade/usury business’

• देयः: to be given
• देयः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Pradhāna (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देय (कृदन्त; दा धातु, यत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय—‘to be given/payable’

• षड्-अंशः: one-sixth portion
• षड्-अंशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षट् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + अंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘one-sixth share’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; कारण/निश्चयार्थ

• विचक्षणैः: by the wise
• विचक्षणैः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण/कर्तृ-सम्बन्ध—‘by the wise’

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s dharma-teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that wealth must be governed by dharma; otherwise it breeds pāpa-buddhi (sinful intention) and leads to kṣaya (downfall). Giving a rightful share purifies gain and supports a life oriented toward Shiva and liberation.

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not only ritual but also ethical alignment. Offering a rightful portion from one’s earnings mirrors making offerings to Saguna Shiva—transforming profit into a dharmic, devotional act rather than binding karma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is regular dāna (charitable giving) from one’s profits—ideally offered in Shiva-related worship or to dharmic causes—while maintaining inner vigilance so that greed does not become a bondage (pāśa).