Shloka 38
Munipraśna-varṇana
Description of the Sages’ Inquiry
व्यास उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तेषां मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम् । मनसा शंकरं स्मृत्वा सूतः प्रोवाच तान्मुनीन्
vyāsa uvāca | ityākarṇya vacasteṣāṃ munīnāṃ bhāvitātmanām | manasā śaṃkaraṃ smṛtvā sūtaḥ provāca tānmunīn
ਵਿਆਸ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ—ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਭਾਵਿਤ ਆਤਮਾ ਵਾਲੇ ਮੁਨੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਬਚਨ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ, ਸੂਤ ਨੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ੰਕਰ ਦਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਮੁਨੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਬੋਧਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਬੋਲਿਆ।
Vyasa
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It establishes the Shaiva principle that sacred teaching should begin with inner recollection of Pati (Śiva); remembrance purifies intention, aligns speech with dharma, and makes the narration a vehicle for grace.
Though the verse does not name the Liṅga directly, it models Saguna-oriented devotion: Sūta steadies his mind by remembering Śaṅkara before speaking, just as devotees center awareness on Shiva’s form or Liṅga before worship and recitation.
Manasa-smaraṇa—quietly remembering Lord Shiva before any spiritual act (listening, chanting, teaching). A practical takeaway is to begin study or japa by mentally invoking Śaṅkara, optionally with the Panchakshara mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”