Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 12

भक्ताधिकारि-द्विजधर्म-योगिलक्षणवर्णनम् / Duties of Qualified Devotees and Marks of Yogins

Devanagari script

अध्यापनं याजनं च क्षत्रियस्याप्रतिग्रहः । वैश्यस्य च विशेषेण मया नात्र विधीयते

Transliteration

adhyāpanaṃ yājanaṃ ca kṣatriyasyāpratigrahaḥ | vaiśyasya ca viśeṣeṇa mayā nātra vidhīyate

Translation

在此处，并不为刹帝利规定教授吠陀与主持祭祀；对他所命的是不受馈赠。尤其对吠舍而言，这些祭司之业，在此语境中并非由我所制定。

Word by Word

• अध्यापनम्: teaching
• अध्यापनम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्यापन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• याजनम्: conducting sacrifice (as priest)
• याजनम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: याजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• क्षत्रियस्य: of a kṣatriya
• क्षत्रियस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• अप्रतिग्रहः: non-acceptance (of gifts)
• अप्रतिग्रहः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-प्रतिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; नञ्-पूर्वक (negated)

• वैश्यस्य: of a vaiśya
• वैश्यस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• विशेषेण: particularly, specifically
• विशेषेण: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (instrumental of manner)

• मया: by me
• मया: Kartr-karana (कर्तृकरण/Agent-instrument in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध/Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation particle)

• अत्र: here, in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Place)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb: here)

• विधीयते: is prescribed/ordained
• विधीयते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु) उपसर्ग-वि + धा
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Clarifies varṇa-dharma boundaries as a social dharma that stabilizes sādhana; indirectly supports orderly pilgrimage/service without role-confusion.

FAQs

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

The verse frames outer ritual roles as governed by dharma and eligibility, emphasizing restraint and integrity; in Shaiva Siddhanta, such disciplined conduct supports inner purification so the soul (paśu) can turn toward Shiva (Pati) beyond mere ritual identity.

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

It distinguishes priestly functions from the broader path of devotion: Linga worship and devotion to Saguna Shiva are not reduced to officiating rites, but are strengthened by living one’s rightful duties with purity and self-control.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is ethical discipline—especially non-greed and non-acceptance of improper gifts—paired with steady Shiva-bhakti such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) according to one’s adhikāra.