Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

सर्वातिथ्यं त्रिवर्गस्य भूतेभ्यो दीयतामिति । गोब्राह्मणात्मनोऽर्थं हि संग्रामाभिहतो भवेत्

Transliteration

sarvātithyaṃ trivargasya bhūtebhyo dīyatāmiti | gobrāhmaṇātmano'rthaṃ hi saṃgrāmābhihato bhavet

Translation

“Hãy ban trọn vẹn lòng hiếu khách—điều nâng đỡ ba mục tiêu của đời sống—cho mọi loài hữu tình.” Quả thật, vì sự hộ trì bò thiêng, các Bà-la-môn và tự ngã nội tâm của chính mình, người ta có thể chấp nhận gian lao, thậm chí bị đánh gục nơi chiến địa.

Word by Word

• सर्वातिथ्यम्: hospitality to all
• सर्वातिथ्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-अतिथ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘सर्वेषाम् अतिथ्यं’ (hospitality to all)

• त्रिवर्गस्य: of the threefold aims (dharma-artha-kāma)
• त्रिवर्गस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि-वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास: ‘त्रयाणां वर्गाणां’ (of the three aims/classes)

• भूतेभ्यः: to living beings
• भूतेभ्यः: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी/पञ्चमी (4/5), बहुवचन; दान-प्रयोगे चतुर्थी (dative plural: to beings)

• दीयताम्: let (it) be given
• दीयताम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मणि/आज्ञार्थे: ‘let it be given’

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थक (quotative particle: thus)

• गोब्राह्मणात्मनः: of cows and Brahmins
• गोब्राह्मणात्मनः: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो-ब्राह्मण-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (समाहार/इतरेतर) + षष्ठी: ‘गवां ब्राह्मणानां च आत्मनः’ (of cows and Brahmins)

• अर्थम्: for the sake/purpose
• अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन (accusative singular)

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

• संग्रामाभिहतः: slain/struck in battle
• संग्रामाभिहतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संग्राम-अभि+हन् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘संग्रामे अभिहतः’ (struck down in battle)

• भवेत्: would be/become
• भवेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘would/should become’

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching within Umāsaṃhitā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Brahmins
• Cows

FAQs

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

It frames universal hospitality and compassion toward all beings as a dharmic foundation that purifies the soul (ātman) and supports the balanced pursuit of life’s aims, aligning the devotee with Shiva’s grace through selfless conduct.

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

Linga-worship is not merely ritual; it is fulfilled by Shiva-pleasing virtues—seva, protection of the innocent, and honoring Brahmins and sacred cows—so outer pūjā and inner dharma become one Saguna expression of devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice daily seva as an offering to Shiva: feed guests and beings, give anna-dāna, and mentally dedicate the act with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” treating compassion as a living extension of pūjā.