Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तं समासेन पूर्ववृत्तांतमुत्तमम् । ऋषय ऊचुः । श्रवणादित्रयं सूत मुक्त्योपायस्त्वयेरितः

Transliteration

evamuktaṃ samāsena pūrvavṛttāṃtamuttamam | ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | śravaṇāditrayaṃ sūta muktyopāyastvayeritaḥ

Translation

Thus, having been told in brief the excellent account of what occurred before, the sages said: “O Sūta, you have declared the triad beginning with hearing (śravaṇa) as the means to liberation.”

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक (indeclinable adverb: ‘thus’)

• उक्तम्: said/told
• उक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु) → उक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (agreeing with ‘वृत्तान्तम्’)

• समासेन: briefly, by summary
• समासेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) एकवचन (instrumental: ‘in brief’)

• पूर्व-वृत्तान्तम्: the earlier account
• पूर्व-वृत्तान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + वृत्तान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (पूर्वस्य वृत्तान्तः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन

• उत्तमम्: excellent
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (qualifying ‘वृत्तान्तम्’)

• ऋषयः: the sages
• ऋषयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन

• ऊचुः: said
• ऊचुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्शभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• श्रवण-आदि-त्रयम्: the triad beginning with hearing
• श्रवण-आदि-त्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रवण (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (श्रवणादीनां त्रयम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• सूत: O Sūta
• सूत: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन एकवचन (vocative)

• मुक्ति-उपायः: means to liberation
• मुक्ति-उपायः: Karta (कर्ता/वाक्यविषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + उपाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (मुक्तेः उपायः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Kartr-karana (कर्ता-करण/कर्तृसाधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, तृतीया एकवचन (instrumental: ‘by you’)

• ईरितः: has been declared
• ईरितः: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ईर्/√इर् (धातु) → ईरित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (agreeing with ‘उपायः’)

Speaker

The sages (Rishis) of Naimisharanya

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva path to moksha through disciplined reception of Shiva-tattva: hearing sacred teaching, reflecting on it, and steadily contemplating it until it becomes direct inner certainty.

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

Śravaṇa and the other two practices are nourished by Saguna Shiva worship—hearing the glory of the Linga, reflecting on Shiva’s grace and supremacy, and meditating with one-pointed devotion that matures toward realization of Pati (Shiva) as the liberator.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is daily śravaṇa of Shiva Purana/kathā, followed by manana (self-inquiry on the teaching) and nididhyāsana (steady meditation), ideally supported by japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”