Shloka 11

अविद्या-पञ्चक, नवसर्ग-क्रमः, प्रजापति-प्रसवः

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 5

Devanagari script

नवैते ब्रह्मणः पुत्रा ब्रह्मज्ञा ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः ब्रह्मवादिन एवैते ब्रह्मणः सदृशाः स्मृताः

Transliteration

navaite brahmaṇaḥ putrā brahmajñā brāhmaṇottamāḥ brahmavādina evaite brahmaṇaḥ sadṛśāḥ smṛtāḥ

Translation

ഇവർ ഒമ്പതുപേരും ബ്രഹ്മാവിന്റെ പുത്രന്മാർ—ബ്രഹ്മജ്ഞരും ബ്രാഹ്മണോത്തമരുമാണ്. ഇവർ ബ്രഹ്മവാദികൾ; സ്വഭാവത്തിൽ ബ്രഹ്മാവിനോട് സദൃശരെന്ന് സ്മൃതിയിൽ പറയുന്നു.

Word by Word

• नव (nava): nine

• एते (ete): these

• ब्रह्मणः (brahmaṇaḥ): of Brahmā

• पुत्राः (putrāḥ): sons

• ब्रह्मज्ञाः (brahmajñāḥ): knowers of Brahman/absolute truth

• ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः (brāhmaṇottamāḥ): best of brāhmaṇas

• ब्रह्मवादिनः (brahmavādinaḥ): expounders of Brahman/Vedic truth

• एव (eva): indeed

• एते (ete): these

• ब्रह्मणः (brahmaṇaḥ): of Brahmā

• सदृशाः (sadṛśāḥ): similar, resembling

• स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ): remembered, traditionally stated

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya; internal genealogical narration)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It establishes the authority of Brahma-jña, Brahmavādin lineages within the creation narrative—those who preserve Vedic truth and purity that later supports Śiva-linga installation, mantra, and right ritual intention (bhāva).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly: by praising Brahma-jñāna and Brahman-realization, it points toward the Shaiva Siddhanta trajectory where the Pashu (soul) matures through knowledge and discipline, ultimately requiring Pati (Śiva) and His anugraha (grace) for final release from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Brahma-jñāna and brahmavāda—disciplined Vedic recitation, contemplative inquiry, and purity of conduct—serving as the foundational sādhana that harmonizes with later Pāśupata-oriented Śiva-upāsanā.