Shloka 20

Śravaṇa–Kīrtana–Manana: Definitions and Hierarchy of Śaiva Sādhanā (श्रवणकीर्तनमनन-निरूपणम्)

Devanagari script

त्रिकं च साधनं मुक्तौ शिवेन मम भाषितम् । श्रवणादिं त्रिकं ब्रह्मन्कुरुष्वेति मुहुर्मुहुः

Transliteration

trikaṃ ca sādhanaṃ muktau śivena mama bhāṣitam | śravaṇādiṃ trikaṃ brahmankuruṣveti muhurmuhuḥ

Translation

For liberation (mokṣa), Lord Śiva taught me a threefold discipline. Therefore, O Brahman, again and again practise the triad beginning with śravaṇa, sacred hearing.

Word by Word

• trikam: a triad, set of three
• trikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• sādhanam: means, practice
• sādhanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• muktau: in liberation
• muktau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• śivena: by Śiva
• śivena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• bhāṣitam: spoken
• bhāṣitam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhāṣ (धातु) + kta (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त, past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; predicate: 'spoken'

• śravaṇa-ādim: (the triad) beginning with hearing
• śravaṇa-ādim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (ādi-समास: 'beginning with hearing')

• trikam: triad
• trikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• brahman: O Brahmin (sage)
• brahman: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/8th), एकवचन

• kuruṣva: do, practice
• kuruṣva: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरणचिह्न

• muhuḥ: repeatedly
• muhuḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: muhuḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (adverb: 'again and again')

• muhuḥ: again and again
• muhuḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: muhuḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति (reduplication for emphasis)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (as narrated to Brahma within the Vidyeshvara Samhita discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It teaches that moksha is supported by a disciplined threefold inner practice—beginning with śravaṇa (reverent listening to Śiva-tattva)—to be repeated until knowledge matures into direct spiritual certainty.

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

In Shaiva Siddhanta, devotion to Saguna Śiva (such as Linga worship) is strengthened by śravaṇa and contemplation of Śiva’s teachings; outer worship becomes fruitful when paired with inner assimilation of Śiva’s doctrine.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular śravaṇa of Shiva Purana and Shaiva mantras, followed by reflection (manana) and steady meditation (nididhyāsana); practically, this can accompany daily Linga-puja with japa of the Panchakshara, performed consistently.