Shloka 22

पुराणश्रवणप्रस्तावः

Prologue to the Recitation of the Śaiva Purāṇa

Devanagari script

मनसा मननं तस्य महासाधनमुच्यते । श्रोतव्यः कीर्तितव्यश्च मन्तव्यश्च महेश्वरः

Transliteration

manasā mananaṃ tasya mahāsādhanamucyate | śrotavyaḥ kīrtitavyaśca mantavyaśca maheśvaraḥ

Translation

To contemplate Him with the mind is said to be a great means of sādhanā. Maheshvara is to be listened to, praised in kīrtana, and reflected upon.

Word by Word

• मनसा: by the mind
• मनसा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• मननम्: reflection/meditation
• मननम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन

• तस्य: of him/of that (Lord)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• महा-साधनम्: a great means/practice
• महा-साधनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘महच्च तत् साधनम्’)

• उच्यते: is said/is called
• उच्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• श्रोतव्यः: to be heard
• श्रोतव्यः: Karya (कार्य/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √श्रु (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive/Obligatory), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom./1st), एकवचन

• कीर्तितव्यः: to be praised/recited
• कीर्तितव्यः: Karya (कार्य/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √कीर्त्/√कीर् (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• मन्तव्यः: to be contemplated
• मन्तव्यः: Karya (कार्य/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √मन् (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• महेश्वरः: Maheshvara (the Great Lord)
• महेश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘महान् ईश्वरः’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches a complete Shaiva path: hear Shiva’s truth (śravaṇa), praise Him (kīrtana), and internalize it through contemplation (manana), which becomes a powerful means toward grace and moksha.

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

In Linga-worship and Saguna devotion, one listens to Shiva’s names and teachings, chants His praises before the Linga, and then meditatively reflects on Maheshvara as the indwelling Lord—turning outer worship into inner realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Daily śravaṇa (reading/hearing Shiva Purana), kīrtana (japa or singing Shiva-nāma such as the Panchakshara), and quiet manana (mental contemplation on Shiva as Pati, the liberating Lord) are directly indicated.