Shloka 2

वैभ्राजवन-प्रसङ्गः / The Episode of Vaibhrāja and the Yogic Forest

Vibhrāja-vana

Devanagari script

मार्कण्डेय उवाच । ते धर्मयोगनिरतास्सप्त मानसचारिणः । वाय्वंबुभक्षास्सततं शरीरमुपशोषयन्

Transliteration

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca | te dharmayoganiratāssapta mānasacāriṇaḥ | vāyvaṃbubhakṣāssatataṃ śarīramupaśoṣayan

Translation

Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: Aquellos siete sabios, siempre entregados al dharma y al yoga, se movían principalmente en la mente (absortos en lo interior). Vivían sin cesar sólo de aire y agua, y por tal austeridad sus cuerpos quedaron extremadamente enjutos y resecos.

Word by Word

• मार्कण्डेयः: Mārkaṇḍeya
• मार्कण्डेयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्कण्डेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (they)

• धर्मयोगनिरताः: engaged in dharma and yoga
• धर्मयोगनिरताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्मयोगनिरत (प्रातिपदिक: धर्म-योग-निरत)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) ‘ते’

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Visheshana (विशेषण/Number)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या; पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा बहुवचनस्य विशेषणम् (numeral adjective)

• मानसचारिणः: mind-wanderers / mental ascetics
• मानसचारिणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानसचारिन् (प्रातिपदिक: मानस + चारिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘मानसे चरन्ति’ (those who move in the mind)

• वायु-अम्बु-भक्षाः: subsisting on air and water
• वायु-अम्बु-भक्षाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाय्वंबुभक्ष (प्रातिपदिक: वायु + अम्बु + भक्ष)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण ‘ते’; ‘वायुं च अम्बु च भक्षयन्ति’ (living on air and water)

• सततम्: constantly
• सततम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सततम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• शरीरम्: the body
• शरीरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• उपशोषयन्: drying up / emaciating
• उपशोषयन्: Karta (कर्ता; participle agreeing with ‘ते’)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-शुष् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद-कर्तरि

Speaker

Markandeya

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Markandeya

FAQs

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

It highlights rigorous dharma-yoga and inward absorption as purifying disciplines that weaken bodily attachment and strengthen the soul’s orientation toward Pati (Lord Shiva), preparing one for Shiva-realization and liberation.

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

Such austerity supports one-pointedness (ekāgratā) needed for Saguna Shiva worship—Linga-upāsanā, japa, and dhyāna—by reducing sensory dependence and turning the mind toward Shiva as the supreme Lord (Pati).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies tapas with mental restraint: sustained meditation and yogic discipline; in Shiva Purana practice this is commonly paired with Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) observance, and Rudrākṣa as supports for steady sādhanā.