Shloka 2

ग्रहसंख्यावर्णनम् — ध्रुवस्य तपोबलात् ध्रुवस्थानप्राप्तिः

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच एतमर्थं मया पृष्टो नानाशास्त्रविशारदः मार्कण्डेयः पुरा प्राह मह्यं शुश्रूषवे द्विजाः

Transliteration

sūta uvāca etamarthaṃ mayā pṛṣṭo nānāśāstraviśāradaḥ mārkaṇḍeyaḥ purā prāha mahyaṃ śuśrūṣave dvijāḥ

Translation

సూతుడు పలికెను—హే ద్విజ ఋషులారా! ఈ విషయమై నేను అడిగినప్పుడు, అనేక శాస్త్రాలలో నిపుణుడైన మహర్షి మార్కండేయుడు పూర్వకాలంలో నాకు—భక్తితో శ్రవణం చేసినవానికి—ఇది ఉపదేశించాడు.

Word by Word

• सूत उवाच: Sūta said

• एतमर्थं: this matter/meaning

• मया: by me

• पृष्टः: asked/inquired

• नानाशास्त्रविशारदः: expert in many scriptures

• मार्कण्डेयः: (sage) Mārkaṇḍeya

• पुरा: formerly/once

• प्राह: said/explained

• मह्यम्: to me

• शुश्रूषवे: to one eager to listen/serve by attentive hearing

• द्विजाः: O twice-born (brāhmaṇa) sages

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Markandeya
• Dvijas (sages)

FAQs

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

It establishes śāstra-pramāṇa (scriptural authority) and guru-paramparā: teachings connected to the Linga are transmitted from a realized sage (Mārkaṇḍeya) to Sūta and then to the listening sages, making devoted śravaṇa a foundational limb of Linga devotion.

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

Indirectly, it frames Shiva-tattva as something to be known through authentic instruction and attentive listening—implying that the Pati (Lord) is realized via śāstra-guided understanding, not mere speculation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śravaṇa (reverent listening) is highlighted as a primary sādhana that supports Shaiva discipline—preparing the Pashu (soul) to loosen Pāśa (bondage) through right knowledge received from trustworthy teachers.