Shloka 2

Pitṛbhakti and Śrāddha: The Classification of Pitṛs and the Superiority of Pitṛ-kārya

Devanagari script

तान्यजंते देवगणा आद्या विप्रादयस्तथा । आप्याययंति ते पूर्वं सोमं योगबलेन वै

Transliteration

tānyajaṃte devagaṇā ādyā viprādayastathā | āpyāyayaṃti te pūrvaṃ somaṃ yogabalena vai

Translation

The hosts of the gods, and likewise the primordial sages beginning with the brāhmaṇas, perform those rites; and first, by the power of yoga, they cause Soma to be replenished and strengthened.

Word by Word

• तानि: those (things)
• तानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• अजन्ते: they worship / perform sacrifice
• अजन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), आत्मनेपदम्, तृतीयपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्

• देवगणाः: groups of gods
• देवगणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानां गणाः)

• आद्याः: primeval / first
• आद्याः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; देवगणान् विशेषयति

• विप्रादयः: brāhmaṇas and others
• विप्रादयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; ‘विप्राः आदयः’ इति समाहारः (आदि-प्रयोगः)

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक-अव्ययम् (also/likewise)

• आप्याययन्ति: they cause to thrive / nourish
• आप्याययन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + प्यै (धातु) (causative)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), परस्मैपदम्, तृतीयपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• पूर्वम्: formerly / first
• पूर्वम्: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत्)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्ययप्रयोगः (adverbial accusative)

• सोमम्: Soma
• सोमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• योगबलेन: by the power of yoga
• योगबलेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (योगस्य बलम्)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (emphatic particle)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Somanātha

Sthala Purana: Soma (the Moon) is replenished through sacred observances; this aligns with the Somnātha theme where Soma is restored from depletion/affliction by Śiva’s grace and worship.

Significance: Remedy for lunar afflictions, restoration of vitality/ojas, and strengthening of dharma through Śiva-bhakti.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Lunar replenishment (soma-āpyāyana) as a recurring cosmic maintenance motif

Characters & Entities

• Soma
• Devas
• Vipras (Brahmanas)

FAQs

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

It highlights that divine order is sustained through disciplined observance and yogic power—inner steadiness (yoga-bala) ‘nourishes Soma,’ symbolizing the mind’s purity and the life-sustaining nectar that supports dharma and worship.

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

In the Shaiva frame, ritual and yoga are complementary: outer rites culminate in focused inner worship. By strengthening Soma through yoga, devotees gain steadiness for Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-puja—where concentrated awareness and purity are essential.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies yoga-based replenishment: japa with breath-discipline (prāṇāyāma) and dhyāna to build yoga-bala; in Shaiva practice this commonly supports Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) alongside purificatory observances.