Shloka 23

Manvantarāṇukīrtana

Enumeration of the Manvantaras and Manus

Devanagari script

तृतीयमेतत्परमं मन्वतरमुदाहृतम् । मन्वतरं चतुर्थं ते कथयामि मुने शृणु

Transliteration

tṛtīyametatparamaṃ manvataramudāhṛtam | manvataraṃ caturthaṃ te kathayāmi mune śṛṇu

Translation

ಇದನ್ನು ಪರಮವಾದ ಮೂರನೇ ಮನ್ವಂತರವೆಂದು ಘೋಷಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಈಗ ಹೇ ಮುನೇ, ಕೇಳು—ನಿನಗೆ ನಾಲ್ಕನೇ ಮನ್ವಂತರವನ್ನು ನಾನು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.

Word by Word

• तृतीयम्: third
• तृतीयम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of एतत्/मन्वतरम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृतीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (Pronoun), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• परमम्: supreme; highest
• परमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• मन्वतरम्: Manvantara (epoch of a Manu)
• मन्वतरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object; thing spoken of)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्वतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• उदाहृतम्: has been declared/said
• उदाहृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया; passive predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-आ-हृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (Past Passive Participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense)

• मन्वतरम्: the Manvantara
• मन्वतरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्वतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• चतुर्थम्: fourth
• चतुर्थम्: Visheshana (विशेषण of मन्वतरम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (Pronoun), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th) एकवचन (Singular) / षष्ठी (Genitive) एकवचन; अत्र चतुर्थी (to you)

• कथयामि: I tell/relate
• कथयामि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथय् (धातु; √कथ् causative)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, उत्तम-पुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriya (क्रिया; command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यम-पुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s sequence of Manvantaras to the sages)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a shrine-origin; it is a chronological hinge marking transition from the third to the fourth Manvantara—cosmic cycles that arise and pass under Śiva’s governance.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Manvantara boundary: completion of the third cycle and commencement of narration of the fourth.

FAQs

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

It frames sacred history as cyclical (Manvantaras), encouraging detachment from transient epochs and turning the mind toward Pati—Lord Shiva—who transcends time and governs all cycles.

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

By placing events within Manvantara cycles, the text implies that forms, ages, and rulers change, while Shiva—worshipped as the Linga (timeless emblem) and as Saguna Lord—remains the constant refuge across all eras.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) of Shiva Purana narratives as a discipline; it is commonly paired with japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to steady awareness beyond changing time.