Shloka 2

Pitṛbhakti and Śrāddha: The Classification of Pitṛs and the Superiority of Pitṛ-kārya

Devanagari script

तान्यजंते देवगणा आद्या विप्रादयस्तथा । आप्याययंति ते पूर्वं सोमं योगबलेन वै

Transliteration

tānyajaṃte devagaṇā ādyā viprādayastathā | āpyāyayaṃti te pūrvaṃ somaṃ yogabalena vai

Translation

إن جموع الآلهة، وكذلك الحكماء الأوائل ابتداءً من البراهمة، يؤدّون تلك الشعائر؛ ثم أولاً، بقوة اليوغا، يجعلون سوما يتجدّد ويقوى ويكتمل.

Word by Word

• तानि: those (things)
• तानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• अजन्ते: they worship / perform sacrifice
• अजन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), आत्मनेपदम्, तृतीयपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्

• देवगणाः: groups of gods
• देवगणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानां गणाः)

• आद्याः: primeval / first
• आद्याः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; देवगणान् विशेषयति

• विप्रादयः: brāhmaṇas and others
• विप्रादयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; ‘विप्राः आदयः’ इति समाहारः (आदि-प्रयोगः)

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक-अव्ययम् (also/likewise)

• आप्याययन्ति: they cause to thrive / nourish
• आप्याययन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + प्यै (धातु) (causative)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), परस्मैपदम्, तृतीयपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• पूर्वम्: formerly / first
• पूर्वम्: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत्)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्ययप्रयोगः (adverbial accusative)

• सोमम्: Soma
• सोमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• योगबलेन: by the power of yoga
• योगबलेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (योगस्य बलम्)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (emphatic particle)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Somanātha

Sthala Purana: Soma (the Moon) is replenished through sacred observances; this aligns with the Somnātha theme where Soma is restored from depletion/affliction by Śiva’s grace and worship.

Significance: Remedy for lunar afflictions, restoration of vitality/ojas, and strengthening of dharma through Śiva-bhakti.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Lunar replenishment (soma-āpyāyana) as a recurring cosmic maintenance motif

Characters & Entities

• Soma
• Devas
• Vipras (Brahmanas)

FAQs

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

It highlights that divine order is sustained through disciplined observance and yogic power—inner steadiness (yoga-bala) ‘nourishes Soma,’ symbolizing the mind’s purity and the life-sustaining nectar that supports dharma and worship.

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

In the Shaiva frame, ritual and yoga are complementary: outer rites culminate in focused inner worship. By strengthening Soma through yoga, devotees gain steadiness for Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-puja—where concentrated awareness and purity are essential.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies yoga-based replenishment: japa with breath-discipline (prāṇāyāma) and dhyāna to build yoga-bala; in Shaiva practice this commonly supports Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) alongside purificatory observances.