Shloka 58

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

विद्यादुर्वृत्तितो दुःखं सुखं विद्यात्सुवृत्तितः । धर्मार्जनमतः कुर्याद्भोगमोक्षप्रसिद्धये

Transliteration

vidyādurvṛttito duḥkhaṃ sukhaṃ vidyātsuvṛttitaḥ | dharmārjanamataḥ kuryādbhogamokṣaprasiddhaye

Translation

当知：痛苦起于恶行，安乐起于善行。是故应立志积集正法（Dharma），使世间正当之享受与众所称扬的解脱（mokṣa）二者皆得圆成。

Word by Word

• vidyāt: should know
• vidyāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vid (विद्)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; injunctive sense ‘one should know’

• dur-vṛttitaḥ: from bad conduct
• dur-vṛttitaḥ: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dus (अव्यय-उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: दुर्वृत्तिः = दुष्टा वृत्तिः; तस्मात् (दुर्वृत्तितः)

• duḥkham: sorrow
• duḥkham: Karma/Object (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: duḥkha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of vidyāt (understood)

• sukham: happiness
• sukham: Karma/Object (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of vidyāt (second clause)

• vidyāt: should know
• vidyāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vid (विद्)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• su-vṛttitaḥ: from good conduct
• su-vṛttitaḥ: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su (अव्यय-उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: सुवृत्तिः = शोभना वृत्तिः; तस्मात् (सुवृत्तितः)

• dharma-arjanam: acquisition of dharma (righteous merit)
• dharma-arjanam: Karma/Object (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + arjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष-समास: धर्मस्य अर्जनम्

• ataḥ: therefore
• ataḥ: Connector (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), causal adverb (तस्मात्/हेतौ)

• kuryāt: should do; should undertake
• kuryāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kr̥ (कृ)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative/विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• bhoga-mokṣa-prasiddhaye: for the attainment/fulfillment of enjoyment and liberation
• bhoga-mokṣa-prasiddhaye: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक) + mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + prasiddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; द्वन्द्व (इतरेतर/समाहार) within bhoga-mokṣa, then तत्पुरुष with prasiddhi: भोगस्य मोक्षस्य च प्रसिद्धिः; चतुर्थी-प्रयोजन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Shiva’s dharma-oriented teaching within the Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; it teaches that conduct determines duḥkha/sukha and urges dharmārjana for both bhoga and mokṣa—typical Purāṇic integration of pravṛtti and nivṛtti under Śiva’s path.

Significance: Frames temple-life and household dharma as compatible with liberation when aligned to Śiva’s order; motivates balanced sādhana.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that inner and outer well-being depend on conduct: adharma-filled behavior ripens as suffering, while dharmic behavior supports happiness and becomes a foundation for liberation—aligning life with Shiva’s order (dharma) as the path to moksha.

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

Linga-worship is not merely ritual; it is supported by śīla (right conduct). By practicing dharma alongside devotion to Saguna Shiva (as Linga), one purifies karma and mind, making worship effective for both worldly welfare (bhoga) and liberation (moksha).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse emphasizes ethical discipline as the primary practice; in Shaiva observance this is naturally paired with daily Shiva-pūjā—such as japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and living in dharmic restraint—so that devotion bears fruit as bhoga and moksha.