Shloka 16

Munipraśna-varṇana

Description of the Sages’ Inquiry

Devanagari script

त्यक्तस्वजातिकर्माणः प्रायशःपरवंचकाः । त्रिकालसंध्यया हीना ब्रह्मबोधविवर्जिताः

Transliteration

tyaktasvajātikarmāṇaḥ prāyaśaḥparavaṃcakāḥ | trikālasaṃdhyayā hīnā brahmabodhavivarjitāḥ

Translation

They abandoned the duties proper to their own station and conduct, and for the most part became deceivers of others. Devoid of the thrice-daily Sandhyā worship, they remained bereft of awakening to Brahman—true spiritual knowledge.

Word by Word

• त्यक्तस्वजातिकर्माणः: those who have abandoned their own caste-duties
• त्यक्तस्वजातिकर्माणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्यक्त (√त्यज् धातु + क्त) + स्व + जाति + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘त्यक्तानि स्वजातिकर्माणि येषाम्’ = those who have abandoned duties of their own caste

• प्रायशः: mostly
• प्रायशः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रायशः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): generally/mostly

• परवंचकाः: deceivers of others
• परवंचकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर + वंचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; ‘पर-वंचक’ = deceiver of others

• त्रिकालसंध्यया: by the thrice-daily sandhyā (practice)
• त्रिकालसंध्यया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + काल + संध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; ‘त्रि-काल-संध्या’ = the three-times-a-day sandhyā; instrumental ‘by/with’

• हीनाः: devoid (of)
• हीनाः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हीन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √हा धातु + क्त/न)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; ‘devoid of/lacking’

• ब्रह्मबोधविवर्जिताः: deprived of realization/knowledge of Brahman
• ब्रह्मबोधविवर्जिताः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + बोध + विवर्जित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; ‘ब्रह्म-बोध’ (knowledge of Brahman) + विवर्जित (deprived of; past participle of vi+√वर्ज्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: Kāśī (Avimukta) is portrayed as the corrective field where neglected nitya-karmas (like sandhyā) are reoriented into Śiva-centered discipline, culminating in Śiva’s liberating instruction and grace.

Significance: Pilgrimage to Kāśī is traditionally linked with restoration of daily discipline and awakening of true knowledge through Śiva’s anugraha, countering the loss of brahma-bodha described here.

Mantra Metadata

Type: gayatri

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Brahman

FAQs

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

The verse warns that when people abandon their rightful dharma and neglect daily spiritual discipline (Sandhyā), they lose brahma-bodha—inner awakening—thus drifting into deception and spiritual darkness, contrary to the Shaiva aim of purification and liberation under Pati (Shiva).

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

Sandhyā and daily observances prepare the mind for sincere Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-upāsanā). Without such discipline, devotion becomes superficial, and the transformative grace associated with Shiva worship does not unfold.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular trikāla-sandhyā (thrice-daily prayer/recitation with purification and contemplation) is implied as the foundational practice; it supports steadiness for Shiva-mantra japa (such as Panchākṣarī) and deeper meditative understanding.