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
వ్యాసుడు పలికెను—భావితాత్ములైన మునుల వచనములు ఆలకించి, సూతుడు మనసున శంకరుని స్మరించి ఆ మునులను ఉద్దేశించి పలికెను।
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.”