Shloka 13

Vyāsotpatti-kathana

Account of the Birth/Origin of Vyāsa

Devanagari script

दुर्लभं मानुषं जन्म ब्राह्मणत्वं विशेषतः । तत्रापि तापसत्वं च दुर्लभं मुनिसत्तम

Transliteration

durlabhaṃ mānuṣaṃ janma brāhmaṇatvaṃ viśeṣataḥ | tatrāpi tāpasatvaṃ ca durlabhaṃ munisattama

Translation

Human birth is difficult to obtain—especially birth as a brāhmaṇa. Even among such, the state of true ascetic discipline (tāpasatva) is rare, O best of sages.

Word by Word

• दुर्लभम्: rare, difficult to obtain
• दुर्लभम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Case 1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (adjective)

• मानुषम्: human
• मानुषम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मानुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• जन्म: birth
• जन्म: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ब्राह्मणत्वम्: Brahminhood, being a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणत्वम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मणत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• विशेषतः: especially
• विशेषतः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विशेषतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• तत्र: therein, in that
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• अपि: even, also
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle)

• तापसत्वम्: ascetic status, being an ascetic
• तापसत्वम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापसत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• दुर्लभम्: rare
• दुर्लभम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• मुनिसत्तम: O best of sages
• मुनिसत्तम: सम्बोधन (Address/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): मुनिनां सत्तमः

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It stresses adhikāra (spiritual qualification): human birth is precious, and even more rare is disciplined tapas that purifies the pashu (bound soul) and turns it toward Pati (Shiva) for liberation.

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

By highlighting tapas and self-restraint, the verse implies that Linga-worship and devotion to Saguna Shiva bear fullest fruit when supported by purity, vows, and steady practice rather than mere external ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt tapas through regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), observance of vratas (such as Mahāśivarātri), and disciplined conduct; these embody the ‘tāpasatva’ praised here.