Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

हिमवच्छिखरे पूर्व्वं तपस्यन्तो महौजसः । वाराणसीङ्गन्तुकामा मुनयः कृतसम्विदः

Transliteration

himavacchikhare pūrvvaṃ tapasyanto mahaujasaḥ | vārāṇasīṅgantukāmā munayaḥ kṛtasamvidaḥ

Translation

Formerly, upon the peaks of the Himalayas, mighty and radiant sages were engaged in austerities (tapas). Having formed a firm resolve among themselves, those sages became desirous of going to Vārāṇasī.

Word by Word

• हिमवत्-शिखरे: on the peak of Himavat (Himalaya)
• हिमवत्-शिखरे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिमवत् (प्रातिपदिक) + शिखर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): हिमवतः शिखरम् → हिमवत्शिखरम्; locative: on the peak of Himavat

• पूर्वम्: formerly
• पूर्वम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/कालवाचक): formerly, earlier

• तपस्यन्तः: doing penance
• तपस्यन्तः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तपस् (धातु √तप्, तपस्यति) (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (शतृ-प्रत्यय/Present active participle), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; 'performing austerity'

• महौजसः: mighty, of great energy
• महौजसः: विशेषण (Qualifier of Karta)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महौजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास: महत् + ओजस् → महौजस्; 'of great vigor' (qualifying मुनयः)

• वाराणसीम्: Vārāṇasī
• वाराणसीम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of गन्तुकामाः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाराणसी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• गन्तु-कामाः: desiring to go
• गन्तु-कामाः: विशेषण (Qualifier of Karta)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्तु (कृदन्त; √गम् + तुमुन्) + काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (उपपद/उद्देश्य): गन्तुं कामः → गन्तुकामः; 'desirous to go' (qualifying मुनयः)

• मुनयः: sages
• मुनयः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• कृत-संविदः: having made a resolve/understanding
• कृत-संविदः: विशेषण (Qualifier of Karta)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ + क्त) + संविद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास: कृता संविद् येषाम्/कृता संविद् (agreement/resolve) → कृतसंविद्; 'having made an agreement/resolve' (qualifying मुनयः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Himalayas
• Varanasi
• Munis (sages)

FAQs

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

It presents the Shaiva ideal that even accomplished ascetics turn toward Kashi—Shiva’s sacred city—seeking the highest grace of Pati (Shiva) that culminates in liberation.

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

The sages’ journey to Varanasi implies approaching Shiva in a tangible, sacred locus—where Saguna worship (Linga, temples, rites) supports the seeker’s movement toward Shiva’s supreme reality and freedom.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse foregrounds tapas (disciplined practice) and tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage); a practical takeaway is to pair pilgrimage with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady vows of restraint.