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
毗耶娑说道：如是听闻诸位圣仙之言——其心灵由观修而澄净——苏多于意中忆念商羯罗，遂对诸牟尼开口而说。
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.”