Shloka 3

अनरण्यसुता–पिप्पलादचरितम् / The Episode of Anaraṇya’s Daughter and Sage Pippalāda

Devanagari script

शैलेश उवाच । वसिष्ठ मुनिशार्दूल ब्रह्मपुत्र कृपानिधे । अनरण्यचरित्रन्ते कथितं परमाद्भुतम्

Transliteration

śaileśa uvāca | vasiṣṭha muniśārdūla brahmaputra kṛpānidhe | anaraṇyacaritrante kathitaṃ paramādbhutam

Translation

Śaileśa said: “O Vasiṣṭha—tiger among sages, son of Brahmā, ocean of compassion—you have narrated to me the supremely wondrous account of Anaraṇya.”

Word by Word

• शैलेशः: Śaileśa (Lord of the mountain)
• शैलेशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल-ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शैलानाम् ईशः)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• वसिष्ठ: O Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• मुनि-शार्दूल: O tiger among sages
• मुनि-शार्दूल: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + शार्दूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (मुनिः शार्दूल इव)

• ब्रह्म-पुत्र: O son of Brahmā
• ब्रह्म-पुत्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मणः पुत्रः)

• कृपा-निधे: O treasure of compassion
• कृपा-निधे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृपा (प्रातिपदिक) + निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (कृपायाः निधिः)

• अनरण्य-चरित्रम्: the story of Anaraṇyā
• अनरण्य-चरित्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनरण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + चरित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (अनरण्यायाः चरित्रम्)

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• कथितम्: has been told
• कथितम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: कृत-प्रत्यय (Past passive participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘has been told’

• परम-अद्भुतम्: most wonderful
• परम-अद्भुतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (परमं अद्भुतम्)

Speaker

Śaileśa (Himālaya/Parvatarāja)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This verse functions as a narrative hinge: Himālaya (Śaileśa) praises Vasiṣṭha for recounting Anaraṇya’s wondrous episode; no Jyotirliṅga origin is invoked here.

Significance: Indirect: establishes śravaṇa (devotional listening) as a means to accrue puṇya and readiness for Śiva-bhakti themes that follow.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Brahmā
• Anaraṇya

FAQs

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

It highlights the Purāṇic method of transmission: sacred knowledge is received through a compassionate guru-sage (Vasiṣṭha) and honored by the listener (Himālaya), preparing the mind for Shaiva teachings that culminate in devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

Though it does not directly mention the Liṅga, it establishes the devotional mood (śraddhā) and reverence for authentic narration—an essential foundation in the Shiva Purana for approaching Saguna Śiva through stories, names, and acts that awaken bhakti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is śravaṇa (devout listening) and guru-vandana (honoring the teacher); in Shaiva practice this is naturally supported by japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” before or after hearing sacred कथा (kathā).