Shloka 21
शिवरूपदर्शनम्
Menā’s Vision of Śiva’s Divine Form
तथाविधं च तन्दृष्ट्वा मेना चित्रगता इव । क्षणमासीत्ततः प्रीत्या प्रोवाच वचनं मुने
tathāvidhaṃ ca tandṛṣṭvā menā citragatā iva | kṣaṇamāsīttataḥ prītyā provāca vacanaṃ mune
فلما رأته على تلك الهيئة بعينها، صارت مِينا لحظةً كأنها صورةٌ في لوحة، ساكنةً من الدهشة. ثم امتلأت مودةً وقالت هذه الكلمات، أيها الحكيم.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It depicts the soul’s immediate stillness when confronted with the divine presence—wonder (vismaya) maturing into affectionate devotion (prīti), a key Shaiva movement from mere perception to heartfelt bhakti.
Though not explicitly about the Liṅga, it illustrates Saguna encounter: the devotee’s mind becomes absorbed and steady, which is the inner basis for outward worship—whether of the Liṅga (symbolic presence) or a manifest divine form.
A practical takeaway is silent, steady contemplation (dhyāna) upon Shiva’s presence before speaking or acting—begin worship with a moment of stillness, then offer prayers with prīti (loving intent), optionally supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī.