Shloka 3

Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca

Sūta’s Return to Kāśī and the Observances of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

इति चिन्तासमाविष्टा मुनयो मुनिपुंगवम् । व्यासं संपूज्य हृत्पद्मे तस्थुस्तद्दशर्नोत्सुकाः

Transliteration

iti cintāsamāviṣṭā munayo munipuṃgavam | vyāsaṃ saṃpūjya hṛtpadme tasthustaddaśarnotsukāḥ

Translation

Thus absorbed in contemplation, the sages—having duly honored Vyāsa, the bull among seers—remained with lotus-hearts, eager to behold him and receive his darśana and instruction.

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: सम्बन्ध (Quotative/इति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, वाक्यसमाप्तिसूचक/उद्धरणसूचक

• चिन्ता-समाविष्टाः: absorbed in thought
• चिन्ता-समाविष्टाः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक) + समा-विश् (धातु) (क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle) ‘समाविष्ट’; तत्पुरुषः (चिन्तया समाविष्टाः)

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

• मुनि-पुङ्गवम्: the foremost of sages
• मुनि-पुङ्गवम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + पुङ्गव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मुनिषु पुङ्गवः)

• व्यासम्: Vyāsa
• व्यासम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• सम्पूज्य: having duly worshipped
• सम्पूज्य: पूर्वक्रिया (Gerundial/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + पूज् (धातु) (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्ययभाव (gerund/क्त्वान्त), ल्यप् (क्त्वा) प्रत्यय; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• हृत्-पद्मे: in the lotus of the heart
• हृत्-पद्मे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृत् (प्रातिपदिक) + पद्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (हृदयस्य पद्मम्)

• तस्थुः: they stood/remained
• तस्थुः: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd/प्रथम), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• तत्-दर्शन-उत्सुकाः: eager to see him/that (vision)
• तत्-दर्शन-उत्सुकाः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्सुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (तस्य दर्शनम् इच्छन्ति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, as typical Purana frame)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Vyasa
• Sages

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva principle that true knowledge arises through reverent approach to the guru and inward readiness—symbolized by the ‘lotus of the heart’—before higher teachings on Pati (Shiva) are received.

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

The sages’ honoring of Vyāsa and longing for darśana mirrors the devotional posture used in Saguna worship: respectful pūjā, concentrated mind, and heartfelt receptivity—qualities that prepare one for Shiva’s grace whether approached as Linga or as the personal Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is guru-pūjā and heart-centered meditation (hṛtpadma-dhyāna): steady the mind in the heart-lotus, then receive mantra/teaching with devotion—an attitude compatible with japa of ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’.