Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36
मन्दरगिरिवर्णनम् — Description of Mount Mandara as Śiva’s Residence
Tapas-abode
या च नाभिमता भर्तुरपि सर्वांगसुन्दरी । सा वृथैव हि जायेत सर्वैरपि गुणान्तरैः
yā ca nābhimatā bharturapi sarvāṃgasundarī | sā vṛthaiva hi jāyeta sarvairapi guṇāntaraiḥ
ولو كانت الزوجة جميلةً في كل عضو، فإن لم تكن محبوبةً مرضيّةً عند زوجها، فهي في الحقيقة مولودةٌ عبثًا، وإن حازت خصالًا فاضلةً كثيرة.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches that outer excellence (beauty and secondary virtues) is spiritually incomplete without inner concord and dharmic alignment; in Shaiva thought, true worth is measured by purity of disposition and harmony that supports righteous living and devotion.
Linga-worship emphasizes the essence over appearances; likewise this verse prioritizes inner acceptance and right relationship over external charm, reflecting the Shaiva principle that Saguna devotion should mature into inner transformation.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchakshara mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with a vow of truthful, gentle speech and mutual respect in the household—making conduct itself an offering to Shiva.