Shloka 26

Munipraśna-varṇana

Description of the Sages’ Inquiry

Devanagari script

कर्तारस्तपसां भूयो द्विजतेजोपहारकाः । शिश्वल्पमृत्युकाराश्च मंत्रोच्चारपरायणाः

Transliteration

kartārastapasāṃ bhūyo dvijatejopahārakāḥ | śiśvalpamṛtyukārāśca maṃtroccāraparāyaṇāḥ

Translation

They become capable of performing abundant austerities (tapas); they enhance the spiritual brilliance (tejas) of the twice-born (dvija); they bring about the lessening of untimely death; and they remain devoted to the constant utterance of mantras.

Word by Word

• कर्तारः: doers, performers
• कर्तारः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; कृ (धातु) + तृच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• तपसाम्: of austerities
• तपसाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• भूयः: more, again
• भूयः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भूयस् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: अव्यय; ‘more, again’ (comparative adverb)

• द्विजतेजोपहारकाः: those who take away the splendor of the twice-born
• द्विजतेजोपहारकाः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्विज + तेजस् + उपहारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (द्विजानां तेजसः उपहारकाः = stealers/robbers of Brahmins’ splendor)

• शिश्वल्पमृत्युकाराः: causing early death of children
• शिश्वल्पमृत्युकाराः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिशु + अल्प + मृत्यु + कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (शिशूनाम् अल्प-मृत्युः/अल्पायुः कर्तारः = causing early death of children)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मन्त्रोच्चारपरायणाः: devoted to mantra-recitation
• मन्त्रोच्चारपरायणाः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्र + उच्चार + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (मन्त्रस्य उच्चारे परायणाः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: In Kāśī’s kṣetra-logic, true mantra and tapas are meant to culminate in Śiva-oriented purification; the verse critiques how even apparently ‘effective’ practices can remain within Kali-yuga ambiguity when not grounded in right intention and humility.

Significance: Pilgrimage to Viśveśvara is framed as redirecting mantra/tapas toward liberation (anugraha) rather than egoic display; Kāśī is a corrective to ritualism without inner transformation.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Kali-yuga: paradox of spiritual ‘powers’ coexisting with inner distortion (tirodhāna/avidyā)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse praises disciplined Shaiva practice: tapas and mantra-recitation purify the pashu (bound soul), increase inner tejas, and remove obstacles that lead to premature decline—supporting steady progress toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.

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

In the Vidyeshvara context, devotion expressed through mantra-ucchāra is a primary limb of Saguna Shiva worship (often alongside Linga-pūjā). Regular recitation steadies the mind for worship and aligns the devotee with Shiva as Pati, the Lord who loosens bonds.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Consistent mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with disciplined tapas—such as daily worship, purity observances, and focused repetition—aimed at inner transformation and protection.