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Shloka 2

साधुवेषद्विजाह्वयावतारकथनम् | Account of the ‘Sādhu-veṣa’ Brahmin-Named Incarnation

Prelude

मेनाहिमालयोर्भक्तिं शिवे ज्ञात्वा महोत्तमाम् । चिन्तामापुस्तुरास्सर्वे मन्त्रयामासुरादरात्

menāhimālayorbhaktiṃ śive jñātvā mahottamām | cintāmāpusturāssarve mantrayāmāsurādarāt

When the kings learned of the supremely exalted devotion that Menā and Himālaya had for Lord Śiva, they were seized by concern and, with earnest attention, began to deliberate together.

मेना-हिमालययोःof Menā and Himālaya
मेना-हिमालययोः:
सम्बन्ध (Sambandha)
TypeNoun
Rootमेना (प्रातिपदिक) + हिमालय (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुं/स्त्री (समाहार); षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (मेनाच हिमालयश्च)
भक्तिम्devotion
भक्तिम्:
कर्म (Karma)
TypeNoun
Rootभक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
शिवेtowards/in Śiva
शिवे:
अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
TypeNoun
Rootशिव (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन
ज्ञात्वाhaving known
ज्ञात्वा:
क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa)
TypeVerb
Rootज्ञा (धातु)
Formक्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund); ‘having known/understood’
महा-उत्तमाम्very excellent
महा-उत्तमाम्:
विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
TypeAdjective
Rootमहा (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महती च सा उत्तमा च) विशेषण ‘भक्तिम्’
चिन्ताम्thought/concern
चिन्ताम्:
कर्म (Karma)
TypeNoun
Rootचिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
आपुःattained/entered (into)
आपुः:
क्रिया (Kriyā)
TypeVerb
Rootआप् (धातु)
Formलिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन
तुरास्swift/quick
तुरास्:
विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
TypeAdjective
Rootतुर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘सर्वे’)
सर्वेall (of them)
सर्वे:
कर्ता (Kartā)
TypeNoun
Rootसर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन
मन्त्रयामासुःconsulted/deliberated
मन्त्रयामासुः:
क्रिया (Kriyā)
TypeVerb
Rootमन्त्र् (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
Formलिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; णिजन्त (causative)
आदरात्out of respect
आदरात्:
अपादान (Apādāna)
TypeNoun
Rootआदर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थ (out of respect)

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Tattva Level: pashu

S
Shiva
M
Mena
H
Himalaya
K
Kings

FAQs

It highlights that genuine bhakti to Śiva is recognized as “maho-uttamā” (supremely elevating), powerful enough to influence rulers and society—implying that devotion to Pati (Śiva) becomes a guiding force that reshapes worldly decisions toward dharma.

The verse emphasizes personal devotion to Śiva as the living Lord (Saguna focus). In Shiva Purana practice, such bhakti commonly expresses itself through Liṅga-pūjā—where reverence, offerings, and contemplation make devotion visible and socially impactful.

While no specific rite is named, the takeaway is to cultivate “ādarāt” (earnest reverence) in worship—practically expressed through daily Liṅga-abhiṣeka, japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and steady devotional contemplation.