Shloka 15

Śravaṇa–Kīrtana–Manana: Definitions and Hierarchy of Śaiva Sādhanā (श्रवणकीर्तनमनन-निरूपणम्)

Devanagari script

इत्थं कुमारो भगवान्व्यासेन मुनिनार्थितः । समर्थः प्राह विप्रेंद्रा निश्चयं मुक्तिकारणम्

Transliteration

itthaṃ kumāro bhagavānvyāsena muninārthitaḥ | samarthaḥ prāha vipreṃdrā niścayaṃ muktikāraṇam

Translation

如是，圣者鸠摩罗（Kumāra）应仙人毗耶娑（Vyāsa）恳请，凭其圆满之能，对诸婆罗门上首宣说：关于解脱（mokṣa）之因的决定真理。

Word by Word

• इत्थम्: thus
• इत्थम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इत्थम् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘thus/in this manner’)

• कुमारः: Kumāra (Skanda)
• कुमारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्ता

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (कुमारः)

• व्यासेन: by Vyāsa
• व्यासेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; करणम्/कर्तृ-निर्देशः (agent/instrument)

• मुनिना: by the sage
• मुनिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; करणम्/कर्तृ-निर्देशः

• अर्थितः: having been requested
• अर्थितः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्थ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मणि भावः—‘requested’

• समर्थः: capable
• समर्थः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (कुमारः)

• प्राह: said
• प्राह: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• विप्र-इन्द्राः: O best of Brahmins
• विप्र-इन्द्राः: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन (8), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (विप्राणाम् इन्द्राः)

• निश्चयम्: the certainty / conclusion
• निश्चयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म (प्राह—said/declared)

• मुक्तिकारणम्: the cause of liberation
• मुक्तिकारणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुक्ति + कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (मुक्तेः कारणम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Sanatkumara
• Vyasa

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It marks a pivotal transition: Sanatkumāra is about to state the settled Shaiva conclusion on what truly causes mokṣa, implying liberation is not accidental but grounded in a definitive spiritual means.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In the Vidyeśvara context, the coming “decisive truth” is typically presented through Shiva-upāsanā (often Linga-centered), where devotion and right knowledge mature into Shiva’s grace—the effective cause of liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

While this specific line does not name a practice, it introduces an instruction section that in this Samhitā commonly culminates in Shaiva sādhanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), Linga worship, and allied disciplines as supports for mokṣa.