Shloka 2

व्यासशौनकादिसंवादः | Vyāsa–Śaunaka and the Sages: Opening Dialogue of the Kailāsa-saṃhitā

Devanagari script

ऋषय ऊचुः । श्रुतोमासंहिता रम्या नानाख्यानसमन्विता । कैलाससंहिताम्ब्रूहि शिवतत्त्वविवर्द्धिनीम्

Transliteration

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | śrutomāsaṃhitā ramyā nānākhyānasamanvitā | kailāsasaṃhitāmbrūhi śivatattvavivarddhinīm

Translation

The sages said: “We have heard the delightful Śrutomā-saṃhitā, rich with many sacred narratives. Now, please expound the Kailāsa-saṃhitā—she who increases the understanding of Śiva-tattva, the true reality of Lord Śiva.”

Word by Word

• ऋषयः: the sages
• ऋषयः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचनम्

• ऊचुः: said
• ऊचुः: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), बहुवचनम्; धातुः—वच्

• श्रुता: heard
• श्रुता: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रुत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √श्रु)
• Form: भूतकृत् (past passive participle); स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘संहिता’)

• उमा-संहिता: the Umā-saṃhitā
• उमा-संहिता: कर्ता/विषय (Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उमा (प्रातिपदिक) + संहिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: उमायाः संहिता); स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्

• रम्या: delightful, charming
• रम्या: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘संहिता’)

• नाना-आख्यान-समन्विता: endowed with many narratives
• नाना-आख्यान-समन्विता: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √अन्वि/सम्+अन्वि)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (नानानि आख्यानानि येन समन्विता); स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्; भूतकृत्-विशेषणम्

• कैलास-संहिताम्: the Kailāsa-saṃhitā
• कैलास-संहिताम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कैलास (प्रातिपदिक) + संहिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; स्त्रीलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचनम्

• ब्रूहि: tell (us)
• ब्रूहि: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपदम्; मध्यमपुरुषः (2nd), एकवचनम्

• शिव-तत्त्व-विवर्द्धिनीम्: that which increases the truth/principle of Śiva
• शिव-तत्त्व-विवर्द्धिनीम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + विवर्द्धिनी (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-स्त्री; √वृध् with वि)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (शिवस्य तत्त्वस्य विवर्द्धिनी); स्त्रीलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘संहिताम्’)

Speaker

The sages (ṛṣis) at Naimiṣāraṇya addressing Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The sages request the Kailāsa-saṃhitā specifically as a śiva-tattva-vivardhinī—an instruction-text meant to mature knowledge of Pati (Śiva) and the soul’s path to grace.

Significance: Śravaṇa (hearing) of Śiva-tattva narratives is framed as a means to purification and eligibility for Śiva’s anugraha (grace).

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Kailāsa-saṃhitā as a direct means to deepen realization of Śiva-tattva—knowing Pati (Śiva) as the supreme reality who grants liberation by removing bondage (pāśa) from the soul (paśu).

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

By requesting a saṃhitā that “increases Śiva-tattva,” the sages seek both right understanding and right devotion—where Saguna worship (such as Linga-upāsanā) becomes a disciplined doorway to grasping Śiva’s supreme principle.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse primarily recommends śravaṇa (devout listening) and manana (reflective contemplation) of Śiva-kathā as a sādhana; such listening traditionally supports mantra-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī) and inner focus on Śiva’s reality.