Shloka 2

Munipraśna-varṇana

Description of the Sages’ Inquiry

Devanagari script

मुनयः शंसितात्मानस्सत्यव्रतपरायणाः । महौजसो महाभागा महासत्रं वितेनिरे

Transliteration

munayaḥ śaṃsitātmānassatyavrataparāyaṇāḥ | mahaujaso mahābhāgā mahāsatraṃ vitenire

Translation

The sages—of praised and disciplined minds, devoted to vows of truth—mighty in spiritual splendor and greatly blessed, commenced a great sacrificial session (mahāsatra).

Word by Word

• मुनयः: sages
• मुनयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• शंसित-आत्मानः: praised/commended in character
• शंसित-आत्मानः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शंसित (कृदन्त; शंस् धातु-कृत) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः; विशेषणम् (मुनयः)

• सत्य-व्रत-परायणाः: devoted to vows of truth
• सत्य-व्रत-परायणाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः; विशेषणम् (मुनयः)

• महा-ओजसः: of great vigor
• महा-ओजसः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (पूर्वपद) + ओजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् ओजः येषाम्)

• महा-भागाः: greatly fortunate; illustrious
• महा-भागाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (पूर्वपद) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः

• महा-सत्रम्: a great sacrificial session
• महा-सत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (पूर्वपद) + सत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः

• वितेनिरे: they undertook/performed
• वितेनिरे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + तन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), बहुवचन; धातुः—वि+तन् (to spread/perform/undertake)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrator describing the sages before the dialogue begins)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Mantra Metadata

Type: rudram

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Sages (Munis)

FAQs

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

It establishes the eligibility of the listeners: sages grounded in satya (truth) and inner discipline begin a mahāsatra, indicating that Shiva-knowledge is approached through purity, austerity, and sincere dharma.

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

Before Linga-worship and Shaiva vows are taught, the text frames the proper adhikāra (fitness): truthfulness, tejas, and sustained sacred practice—qualities that make worship of Saguna Shiva fruitful and lead toward realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse points to sustained sādhana: undertaking a disciplined vow (especially satya), maintaining purity during worship, and performing regular rites—preparing one for Shaiva practices like mantra-japa and Linga-pūjā taught later.