Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 42

Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ

Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit

Devanagari script

स्त्रीणां धर्मार्थिनां द्रव्यं पैतृकं भर्तृकं तथा । गवादीनां द्वादशीनां चैत्रादिषु यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

strīṇāṃ dharmārthināṃ dravyaṃ paitṛkaṃ bhartṛkaṃ tathā | gavādīnāṃ dvādaśīnāṃ caitrādiṣu yathākramam

Translation

对于寻求法义与正当福祉的女子，合宜的供施财物，当取自父家所遗之产，亦可取自夫家所得之财。同样地，关于以“施牛”等为首的十二种誓行，应依次遵循从恰特罗月（Caitra）起的诸月次第。

Word by Word

• स्त्रीणाम्: of women
• स्त्रीणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• धर्मार्थिनाम्: of those seeking dharma
• धर्मार्थिनाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: धर्मम् अर्थयते इति/धर्मार्थी (one who seeks dharma)

• द्रव्यम्: property/wealth
• द्रव्यम्: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पैतृकम्: paternal
• पैतृकम्: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पैतृक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of द्रव्यम्)

• भर्तृकम्: belonging to the husband
• भर्तृकम्: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भर्तृक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of द्रव्यम्)

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: सम्बन्ध (Discourse connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb/conjunction: likewise)

• गवादीनाम्: of cows and the like
• गवादीनाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: गो-आदि (cows etc.)

• द्वादशीनाम्: of the Dvādaśī (12th tithis)
• द्वादशीनाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वादशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘द्वादशी’ = 12th lunar day

• चैत्रादिषु: in Caitra and other (months)
• चैत्रादिषु: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चैत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: चैत्र-आदि (Caitra etc. months)

• यथाक्रमम्: in proper order
• यथाक्रमम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (adverb): ‘in due order/according to sequence’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: As part of the Viśveśvarasaṃhitā’s Kāśī-centered instruction, the verse supports dharmic giving and vrata-order as preparatory discipline for approaching Viśveśvara (Śiva as Lord of the universe) in Kāśī; regulated dāna and month-order are framed as merit-making auxiliaries to Śiva-bhakti.

Significance: Merit (puṇya) through properly ordered dāna/vrata becomes an aid to purification (mala-kṣaya) and eligibility (adhikāra) for Śiva-pūjā and grace in Kāśī.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that offerings in Shiva-worship should be supported by rightful, ethically obtained wealth and performed with orderly discipline—dharma becomes the foundation for spiritual merit and inner purification.

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

Linga-worship emphasizes purity of intention and propriety of means; this verse frames dana and vrata as supports to Saguna Shiva devotion, aligning household life with Shiva’s dharmic order.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to disciplined observance of monthly vratas and charitable gifts (such as go-dana) in their prescribed season; this can be paired with Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to sanctify the vow.